{"id":762867,"date":"2026-04-30T04:03:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T04:03:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/762867\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T04:03:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T04:03:15","slug":"fernando-mendoza-reveals-why-hes-sometimes-an-a-hole-on-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/762867\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernando Mendoza reveals why he’s sometimes an ‘a-hole’ on field"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fernando Mendoza may come off as a nice guy, but the new Raiders quarterback says he can be \u201can a-hole sometimes\u201d when he\u2019s out on the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The former Indiana QB, selected No. 1 overall by Las Vegas<\/a> in last week\u2019s NFL draft, has garnered a reputation as a mild-mannered young man when he spoke in public.\u00a0However, when it comes to leading his teammates on the field, he\u2019s taken some inspiration from two legendary NFL quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough I\u2019ve came off as very humble and pretty fuzzy and warm, at the end of my Indiana career, when you have that equity you\u2019re able to be like No. 4 [Favre] and No. 12 [Rodgers],\u201d Mendoza said in an interview. \u201cIf you ask my teammates, that\u2019s stuff that I was. I wasn\u2019t always the nice guy, I was an A-hole sometimes, I wanted everyone to do their 1\/11th, everyone to do their job, hold everyone to a high standard.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Raiders Fernando Mendoza on what kind of leader he is<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough I\u2019ve came off as very humble, pretty fuzzy & warm. At the end of my Indiana career when you have that equity I was able to be like #4 or #12. I was an A-hole sometimes, I wanted everyone to do their 1\/11th.\u201d \u2620\ufe0f\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/HUl3Ten8mc<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ShifftttyyyQB1\ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f (@raiders1022) April 29, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But coming into Las Vegas as a rookie, Mendoza was also cognizant of the fact that he would have to earn that leadership role with his new team.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mendoza showed just what he could do last year as he helped lead the Hoosiers to a national title \u2014 the university\u2019s first in football \u2014 and took home the Heisman Trophy<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"LasLas Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza speaks at introductory press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, coming to a new organization, starting from the bottom of the totem pole, I believe that leadership is earned, not given,\u201d Mendoza added. \u201cThere\u2019s so many amazing leaders on this team. Especially the quarterback, there\u2019s two things you need to be a leader. Number one, you gotta play well. Play well, others will respect you, that\u2019s why No. 4 and No. 12 are both Hall of Famers. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou gotta play well, you gotta do your job before you can hold other people accountable. And, number two, you gotta create equity, whether it\u2019s work ethic, whether it\u2019s caring about your teammates, connect with them on a personal level. Just being one of the guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mendoza will wear No. 15 with the Raiders this upcoming season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"FernandoFernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers rushes with the ball against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Former Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores gave his blessing<\/a> to Mendoza to wear the number, which is not retired and has been worn by other players in the past.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s perfect,\u201d Flores said of Mendoza. \u201cHe can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can\u2019t he do? He does it all. He\u2019s fun to watch. <\/p>\n

\u201cPlus, he\u2019s a good-looking kid. Like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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