It’s tradition for the College Football National Champions to visit the White House. For some players it can be of the highlights and perks that come along with being a National Champion. But in some cases, it’s just not the right time. Such is the case for Fernando Mendoza.
The top pick quarterback is neck deep learning to be an NFL quarterback. As the Raiders pick at number one overall in last month’s draft, he has more important things to do right now than make a ceremonial trip to Washington. And for him, it wouldn’t probably not sit well with his new teammates to up and fly out of town in the heat of offseason training.
“I believe May 11th is the first day of OTAs if I’m not mistaken,” said Mendoza when asked whether he would attend. “I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I got to prove myself. I can’t miss practice. . . I just wouldn’t. As a rookie, I don’t think that’s a good look, and I want to try to best serve my teammates. And I don’t know if that’d be accomplishing that goal.”
Mendoza’s priorities are in the right place for sure. There are plenty of things one should place as a higher priority right now than visiting the White House. Many of which most people would even put far lower on the importance scale than crucial practice time with teammates while beginning the journey to becoming an NFL franchise quarterback.
Maybe he’ll stop by McDonalds and grab a Big Mac so he can at least feel like he’s enjoying the same meal as his Hoosier teammates are sure to receive.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza will not make White House visit with Indiana teammates