Fernando Mendoza #15 from the Las Vegas Raiders can be seen preparing to throw the ball during the squad’s introductory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 02, 2026, in Henderson, Nevada. David Becker/Getty Images
Fernando Mendoza, the rookie quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders, chose not to attend the White House’s celebration for the Indiana University football squad — the 2025 College Football Playoff National Champions — and instead spoke with President Donald Trump by telephone, Trump stated on Monday.
Mendoza communicated to the president that he was absent from the ceremony honoring the Hoosiers because of his obligations to practice with the Raiders.
“The reason he did not [travel to the White House] is attributed to his presence at spring training, correct?” Trump queried to the gathering filled with Hoosiers outfitted in cream and crimson. “He’s [Mendoza’s] been excellent and he’s in spring training — like his initial day or something akin to it. I commented, 'you should be present there'" he mentioned further.
Head Coach Curt Cignetti gifts President Donald Trump with a football jersey at a gathering celebrating the 2026 Football National Champion Indiana Hoosiers football team on the South Lawn of the White House, May 11, 2026, in Washington. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The top NFL Draft selection and recipient of the Heisman Trophy expressed earlier in the month that he was unable to attend the White House ceremony given his obligations at the Raiders' off-season activities.
“I cannot be absent from practice," Mendoza conveyed to reporters in the days directly following his selection as the first overall pick by the team. “As a rookie, I am of the opinion that it does not present a favorable impression. My aim is to best support my teammates, and I am uncertain if that objective would be achieved,” Mendoza later elaborated.
Despite not attending the significant event, Trump asserted that Mendoza offered his support.
“If he was not present due to alternative reasons, such as a dislike for Trump, or an unwillingness to attend, I would refrain from making any mention of him,” Trump remarked at the occasion on the White House South Lawn. “I would not even say the quarterback's name,” he noted.
"However, he is a superb individual, actually, and harbors genuine enthusiasm for our efforts on behalf of the nation," Trump appended.
With their standout quarterback at the helm, Mendoza propelled the Hoosiers through an unblemished season from beginning to end, notably in their concluding contest, employing a late-game touchdown rush to overcome the Miami Hurricanes with a score of 27-21 in the College Football Playoff national championship.
Trump lauded Mendoza and the squad on their 16-0 season during Monday’s ceremony, which included Coach Curt Cignetti, many of the team's returning athletes, and the school’s cheerleading personnel. The president hailed Cignetti as the preeminent college football coach of the past decade.
“I think you represent the biggest narrative,” Trump remarked regarding Cignetti and the team. “No other account compares to this,” he articulated, continuing, “The Hoosiers attained the program's first ever undefeated, untied season and marked it with their inaugural national title."
Several prominent departures from the team were also notably absent. Cignetti indicated it’s primarily due to 15 athletes vying for professional teams.
“It defies belief,” Trump stated, further noting, “It explains your victory.”
The Hoosiers presented Trump with a No. 47 Indiana football jersey, a signed football, and an IU helmet. Prominent players Jamari Sharpe and Charlie Becker also delivered remarks at the event.
Sharpe — responsible for intercepting Miami's concluding pass to secure the championship — expressed gratitude to Cignetti, commenting, "I questioned whether I would remain [at Indiana], but I chose to stay, and I rejoice in my decision as we secured a national championship."
Joined by numerous members of the Indiana congressional delegation and the president's cabinet, U.S. Senator Jim Banks, R-Ind., was in attendance to witness his alma mater’s championship-winning squad.
He relayed to ABC News that the historic achievement “never diminishes.”
Fernando Mendoza #15 from the Las Vegas Raiders can be seen preparing to throw the ball during the squad’s introductory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on May 02, 2026, in Henderson, Nevada.David Becker/Getty Images
"Indiana University's championship season exemplified the essence of Hoosier determination to the entire nation,” he remarked, further stating, “These student-athletes conducted themselves with exceptional dignity throughout the season and instilled pride in Indiana.”
Formerly recognized as the program with the most losses in Division I football history, the president lauded the team’s 2025 journey as a “legendary” narrative.
“It presents a highly atypical situation: we observe numerous teams that secure victories repeatedly,” he commented. “This is a team that originated from a program predominantly known for basketball and has now evolved into a formidable, exceptional football program.”
Gesturing towards Coach Cignetti, the president applauded his self-assurance and the team’s year of dominance.
“Never wager against an individual of this caliber,” Trump cautioned. “I assure you, never wager against a figure like Curt.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com