The Las Vegas Raiders rookie quarterback and Miami native now has a professional football bobblehead commemorating his career. Notably, the raiders are a big part of his story.
On Thursday, April 23, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Fernando Mendoza as the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In January, Mendoza led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 season and a national championship victory over Miami.
Bobblehead Details
On June 12, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the Fernando Mendoza Welcome to Las Vegas Bobblehead. The bobblehead features Mendoza standing beside a bobbling replica of the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign. This limited edition item was produced in collaboration with Mendoza. It was released after the conclusion of the Raiders’ offseason minicamp.
Each individually numbered bobblehead costs $45 with an $8 flat-rate shipping fee per order. They are expected to ship in November and are available for pre-order. In January, Mendoza led Indiana to a 27-21 victory over Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. He scored the decisive touchdown with a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter. As a result, he caught the attention of raiders fans everywhere.
Mendoza’s Upbringing
Mendoza was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Miami, Florida. He served as a two-year starting quarterback for the California Golden Bears before announcing his transfer to Indiana on December 23, 2024. This major move set the stage for his eventual role with the raiders.
Mendoza became the first Indiana player to win the Heisman Trophy and was recognized as a consensus All-American during his award-winning season. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was named Big Ten Most Valuable Player. Mendoza also received the Big Ten Championship Game MVP award. Additionally, Mendoza was selected as the AP College Football Player of the Year and received the Maxwell Award. He received the Walter Camp Award and Davey O’Brien Award, now joining the storied ranks of the raiders organization with these achievements.
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Eric Butler is a Contributor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on Instagram and X via @ReportandOpine
