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Fernando Mendoza Talks Indiana White House Visit: 'i Can't Miss Practice'

Indiana football has set its White House visit date for May 11. But it may be without one of the major pieces that got the Hoosiers their first national championship.

First overall pick Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Raiders in this year's draft, told reporters May 2 he may have to skip out on Indiana's visit to the White House to meet President Donald Trump. The reason? There are practices to attend.

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"I believe May 11 is the first day of OTAs," Mendoza said when he was asked about possibly visiting. "If I'm not mistaken I have the calendar - I mean I don't have a calendar so. ... If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I'm on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself. I can't miss practice ... I'm a rookie. I don't think that's a good look."

Basically: The past is the past. The present is now. Mendoza is entering the NFL with all of the baggage being a No. 1 pick carries, as he looks to bolster a Raiders franchise starving for success. It hasn't won a playoff game since the 2002 season and has made the playoffs just twice since that Super Bowl appearance.

Nevertheless, if saying the right things were completions, Mendoza would be 100% passing. While Indiana deservedly celebrates, Mendoza is looking to carve a spot out on his new roster. That's great news for the Raiders, and frankly, Indiana fans who want to see him succeed at the next level.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza could skip Indiana White House visit

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Fernando Mendoza Talks Indiana White House Visit: 'i Can't Miss Practice'

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