Raiders Quarterback Fernando Mendoza Honors Mother Battling Multiple Sclerosis
Mendoza shared a childhood photo of himself with his mother, Elsa, who has been living with MS since 2008.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza recently paid tribute to his mother, Elsa, by sharing a childhood photograph on Instagram. Elsa Mendoza has been engaged in a personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) since 2008.
Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, celebrated his mother's birthday with the heartfelt post. The image depicted a young Fernando seated on his mother's lap beside a birthday cake.
Elsa Mendoza, despite her ongoing struggle with MS, which has confined her to a wheelchair, has made efforts to attend as many of her son's games as possible. Fernando's parents also face the challenge of balancing support for his career with that of his younger brother, Alberto, who is the starting quarterback for Georgia Tech.
While Mendoza currently serves as the backup quarterback for the Raiders, his mother's resilience has been an inspiration to many throughout his collegiate and professional journey.