Fernando Mendoza’s mom, Elsa, delivered a touching speech at a party celebrating the quarterback being selected first overall by the Raiders on Thursday night . Speaking in front of a crowd of family and friends, Elsa praised her son’s character as much as his football journey. “You make me so proud — your kindness, your humility, your faith. I just can’t say enough … I’m so proud to be your mom,” she said. An inside look at a wholesome speech given by Elsa Mendoza, mother of #Raiders No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. “You make me so proud— your kindness, your humity, your faith. I just can't say enough…” (Via itoniorobinson/IG) pic.twitter.com/WXclwU06o3 — Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) April 25, 2026 She then ended the speech with a fitting nod to Mendoza’s new team. “Go Raiders,” she said. Moments after he was picked Thursday, Mendoza could be seen on the NFL draft broadcast sitting alongside his wheelchair-bound mother , who has multiple sclerosis (MS), inside his childhood home in Coral Gables, Fla.…