NFL Draft’s No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Praises God: ‘I Can’t Thank Him Enough’
The quarterback who led Indiana to a stunning national title and made faith central to his identity continued to praise God Thursday after he was picked No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders chose Fernando Mendoza to revive their franchise, hoping he can do in Vegas what he did in Bloomington, Ind., where the 22-year-old stunned the college football world by winning the school’s first Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to its first national title during a dominant 16-0 run through the regular season playoffs.
Mendoza made his faith a centerpiece of his public platform throughout the season – and continued to do so Thursday night during an interview on ESPN.
God was praised Thursday night at the NFL Draft on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/aq95G2U9kn
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) April 24, 2026
“The last five months have been such a blessing by God, and I can't thank Him enough,” Mendoza said. “I'm just looking forward to get to work, prove [myself] at the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career, but now I step into a great game of the NFL. [I] look forward to proving and earning it every single day.”
The Las Vegas Raiders have been one of the league’s most woeful franchises over the past two decades, making the playoffs only twice since 2002 while finishing .500 or better just five times – a sharp contrast to the glory days that included five Super Bowl appearances and three titles. Mendoza, though, displayed the same optimism he had at Indiana, telling ESPN that the Raiders are a “great organization, great legacy” with “so many great teammates.”
“I'm looking forward to talking to coaches, owners,” he said. “I'm ecstatic for the opportunity.”
Asked during the College Football Playoff which hype songs he listens to before games, he said none. Instead, he prays.
“I honestly don't listen to hype songs because I have to stay cool, calm, and collected,” Mendoza said. “I actually meditate before the game. I meditate. I pray. I think praying is, in a way, meditation to help myself be in my thoughts.”
A Catholic, he returned to the St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University after winning the Heisman with the trophy in hand to share the moment with the priests who had mentored him, according to Aleteia.
“He told us ‘This Church and you all are a major reason why this happened,’” Patrick Hyde, pastor of the St. Paul Catholic Center, said on X/Twitter. “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”
Mendoza wasn’t the only draft pick to speak boldly about his faith Thursday night during interviews on ESPN. Others included Caleb Downs (Dallas), Jordyn Tyson (New Orleans), Makai Lemon (Philadelphia), and Ty Simpson (Los Angeles Rams).
“First off, I want to give all the glory to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Simpson, a star quarterback at Alabama, told ESPN. “The fact that I'm here on the NFL stage of the draft, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Him.”
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Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Jason Miller / Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published April 24, 2026.
