NFL recruited Peyton Manning to convince Fernando Mendoza to attend Draft
Fernando Mendoza turned down the opportunity to attend this year's NFL Draft so Roger Goodell had Peyton Manning try to sell him on it.
Fernando Mendoza is a lock to the be number one pick in the draft tomorrow night. Peyton Manning was once in this same position. And recently he attempted to convince Mendoza to be at the draft in Pittsburgh to experience it himself.
Manning told reporters Wednesday about his efforts. Peyton Manning at the 2015 Night of Champions event talks about his draft day and says the NFL asked him to encourage Fernando Mendoza to attend the draft. His efforts were unsuccessful.
Also a funny recollection of Eli’s draft night. pic. twitter.
com/tJAR8UcJfL — Parker Gabriel (@ParkerJGabriel) April 22, 2026 "It was a special day, I'll be honest. The NFL reached out to me, I reached out to Mendoza to maybe encourage him to go to the draft, I know he's staying home with his family, which will be fine. But it is special to be there.