Make California Post a Preferred Source Fernando Mendoza is making his first start for the Las Vegas Raiders count.
The rookie quarterback and No. 1 pick of the 2027 NFL Draft has already run for a touchdown and made several other impressive plays in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks.
Raiders fans are rejoicing about getting to watch the face of their franchise performing on the field. But nobody is happier than Mendoza for his family, which includes his mother Elsa.
Elsa Mendoza was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008 and is still battling the autoimmune disease.
She’s confined to a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop her from supporting Mendoza in person on Sunday.
The CBS broadcast of the Raiders vs. Seahawks game showed Elsa and her husband, Fernando Mendoza Sr., watching Sunday’s game from a suite.
Mr. Mendoza was wearing a Raiders jacket while Elsa was wearing her son’s No. 15 jersey.
The NFL’s X account posted a clip of them at the game with the caption, “Fernando Mendoza’s parents in the building for his first career start ❤️”.
Fernando has repeatedly praised how his mother has handled her MS diagnosis, and credits her for shaping his resilience and optimism, both on and off the football field.
And she must be extremely proud watching her son on Sunday.
