Peyton Manning Says NFL "Reached Out" to Him to Convince Fernando Mendoza to Attend NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
Yahoo Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Peyton Manning, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, was asked by the NFL to encourage Fernando Mendoza, the projected No. 1 pick for the 2026 draft, to attend the event in Pittsburgh, but Mendoza has chosen not to go.
- Mendoza plans to celebrate the draft privately in Miami with his family, prioritizing a personal celebration over attending the public draft spectacle and stage appearance with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
- The NFL Draft has evolved significantly since Manning's time, growing from a small, low-key event into a massive fan experience, with Pittsburgh hosting hundreds of thousands of fans for the 2026 draft.
- The last No. 1 overall pick to skip attending the draft was Trevor Lawrence in 2021, who also chose to celebrate privately with family instead of attending the public event.
- Mendoza cited family preferences and logistical ease as reasons for staying home, emphasizing the importance of sharing the moment with those who supported his football journey.
