Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza declared his new team possesses the NFL's "most Hispanic fan base." Mendoza, the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, made the assertion during his introductory press conference.
"The history of the Raiders, especially the Hispanic history, is like no other," Mendoza stated. "I believe it's probably the most Hispanic fan base and legends like Mr. Plunkett, like Mr. Flores. I mean, all those legendary Hispanic idols and cornerstones of the franchise. It means a lot as a Cuban American to come to this franchise and help try to carry the torch."
Mendoza, of Cuban descent, emphasized his desire to connect with the Hispanic community.
He is embarking on his NFL career after a standout college season for Indiana. Mendoza acknowledged the significant responsibility of leading a historic franchise back to prominence.
"It's a huge responsibility, but it's also a huge honor to honor the legacy," Mendoza said. "The Raiders are a core historic franchise and one of the faces of the NFL, and I feel like, again, I need to prove it and earn it every single day."
Mendoza pledged to approach his rookie season with humility and a strong work ethic, aiming to lead by example.