Las Vegas Raiders' No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, has stated his intention to steer clear of the Las Vegas Strip, likening it to a cautionary tale from childhood.
"It's like a boogeyman," Mendoza told The Athletic. "A lot of people talk about the strip like, 'You don't want to go there.' It's like when you're a kid; you're trick-or-treating, and there's the haunted house. You're not trying to go over there."
Since joining the Raiders this offseason, Mendoza has visited the Strip a couple of times, but he expressed no desire to become a regular fixture in the city's famed entertainment district. The 22-year-old former Indiana star, who won the Heisman Trophy, has developed a reputation for a disciplined lifestyle, a trait that seems to be guiding his approach to life in Las Vegas.
Mendoza emphasized his dedication to his career, stating, "I have a job to do, and it's football. I don't have anybody that really relies on me, if that makes sense, so I can just be psycho about football."
He acknowledged that Las Vegas offers numerous attractions but indicated his preference for quieter activities. "And then every once in a while, on an off day or night, I can go out to a movie and watch ‘Spiderman’ or ‘The Odyssey’ or something," he said. "In Vegas, there is a lot to do, and sometimes it can be seen as activities that wouldn’t be supporting a healthy football lifestyle. But there are different things that you can go see and do that aren’t degenerative activities, per se. There are some great restaurants. But I’m probably not going to be playing blackjack till late at night."
Mendoza is expected to make his game debut on Thursday evening, potentially playing a few series in the Raiders' home game against the Cardinals.