How mum's struggle inspired Mendoza's rise to top NFL draft pick

Fernando Mendoza was the first pick in the NFL Draft. His mother, who lives with MS, inspired him to make a meteoric rise after being ranked 2,149th in the class of 2022, when he left high school.

Fernando Mendoza, selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, credits his mother, Elsa, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, as his inspiration and support.

An exploration of how Elsa Mendoza's battle with multiple sclerosis influenced her son, Fernando Mendoza, leading to his selection as the NFL's first overall pick.

Fernando Mendoza, the 2026 NFL Draft's first pick, shares his deep connection with his mother, Elsa, who has been battling multiple sclerosis since 2008.

A detailed account of how Elsa Mendoza's struggle with multiple sclerosis influenced her son, Fernando Mendoza, culminating in his selection as the NFL's first overall pick.