Raiders rookie Fernando Mendoza just made an incredible gesture, and it should have won over fans from a bitter opponent
The Raiders’ new franchise QB gave back to his hometown, and the move should earn some support from Miami Hurricanes fans.
Las Vegas Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza is a Miami native, something that’s been well documented in recent months.
The Heisman Trophy winner was part of an incredible stage that was set back in January, when his return to South Florida to play for the national championship collided with another incredible storyline — the Miami Hurricanes playing for their first national title in over 20 years, and in their home stadium, no less.
Those same Hurricanes who did not extend him a scholarship offer when he was coming out of Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School. Those same Hurricanes who defeated him when he was at Cal with a comeback for the ages, from down 35-10 in the third quarter to a 39-38 win.
But when it mattered the most, Mendoza got the upper hand, leading Indiana over Miami 27-21 in January to secure the Hoosiers’ first national championship.
Naturally, the sting was perhaps a bit stronger for Hurricanes fans, given who beat them. But that sting was likely lessened greatly months later based on Mendoza’s own generosity.
The University of Miami announced Wednesday that Mendoza has committed $500,000 to launch the Mendoza Family Fund to support multiple sclerosis research, and that it is going to the university’s health system and the Miller School of Medicine. Mendoza’s mother, Elsa, has multiple sclerosis.
Fernando Mendoza committed $500,000 to multiple sclerosis research through the University of Miami Health System
“This fund is about my mom and the millions of people living with MS,” Mendoza said per the university’s press release. “My mom has taught our family strength, resilience and positivity. My brothers Alberto and Max, my dad and I, we have all learned from her example. She is the reason we fight and the reason we believe we can do something bigger than ourselves.”
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks cells that surround a person’s brain and spinal cord. There is no current cure.
Mendoza talked about the importance of starting a fund back shortly after he was drafted last month No. 1 overall by the Raiders.
“Yeah, it’s great. My mom’s there in the back. I can’t thank her enough for everything. So, we started the Mendoza Family Fund, which we were able to get a good donation to, starting off. I have been blessed in my journey and I believe one of my pillars and my identities is giving back and helping fighting MS, giving to the community. So, that was a huge part of my identity, and it’s something that our family really wanted to do.”
It’s a tremendous and personal gesture that will hopefully have a positive impact on trying to find a cure and/or better treatments for the disease. And without question, it’s a move that will earn him a spot in the hearts of many Hurricanes fans despite the national championship game result.
After all, some things are bigger than football. Far bigger.