Trump Says He’s ‘Not Happy’ Fernando Mendoza Skipped National Championship Celebration at the White House
The NFL rookie previously shared that he didn't think it would be "a good look" to attend the event
Donald Trump, Fernando Mendoza Credit: Aaron Schwartz/Sipa/Bloomberg via Getty; Cooper Neill/Getty NEED TO KNOW Fernando Mendoza opted not to go to the White House The NFL rookie was in training camp on the same day his former team visited President Donald Trump At least two other former Indiana players also skipped the event Fernando Mendoza skipped the Indiana Hoosiers’ White House visit — and President Donald Trump was “not happy. ” The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback opted to stay with his new team on the first day of OTAs (organized team activities) on Monday, May 11 instead of traveling to Washington, D. C.
alongside most of his former team, who won the national championship in January. “Now the reason he’s not here — he was so nice he called — he’s a big fan of ours,” Trump said in his address , standing in front of Indiana players and flanked by Hoosiers wide receiver Charlie Becker and head coach Curt Cignetti. He added, “You wouldn’t believe it 'cause he didn’t show up, I’m not happy but that’s okay.
” President Donald Trump, Indiana Hoosiers football team Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Mendoza, 22, was not the only former Hoosiers player to opt out of the visit. Center Pat Coogan and D’Angelo Ponds were among those who did not attend due to NFL obligations, according to The Athletic . Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE's free sports newsletter — sign up now!
The NFL rookie previously shared that it was unlikely that he would attend the gathering. “If it is on the first day of OTAs [organized team activities], like I said, I’m on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself,” Mendoza said on Saturday, May 2 .