Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders experience begins with embracing team history

There are certain NFL teams that are different.

Maybe I am alone in this thought. I’d imagine that we have all let ourselves think about what it would be like to be certain players in certain situations, and I imagine that we have all really let ourselves think about what it would be like to be in Fernando Mendoza’s shoes specifically.

We have all played NCAA (what the kids nowadays know CFB to be), went undefeated on the way to a National Championship, picked up the Heisman Trophy in the process, and wound up selected number one overall in Madden. The video game life.

Mendoza is literally living that life right now. His fingerprints are on every facet of what you could want them to be on as someone in his shoes over the last year, and now the fate of the Las Vegas Raiders rests on them.

The Raiders are one of those different teams as noted. With all due respect to certain clubs, the Raiders come with a storied history. You join a legacy of greats when you put on the silver and black. Obviously there are great players who have played for every team in the NFL, but the Raiders are one of the league’s oldest and legacy-rich.

Recently I had a chance to ask Mendoza about the weight of all of this and how it feels. He had a tremendous answer.

“Yeah so in the quarterback room which I am right now you see a little mural of Tom Flores over there. We see Tom Flores, Rich Gannon, Ken Stabler, Jim Plunkett, and Lamonica. Mr Lamonica. All those different Raider quarterback legends. And so you gotta learn about the history about the Raiders. And we’ve also been able to learn about the history through Coach Kubiak because Coach Kubiak has been playing videos.”

“Whenever we have an off day in the morning it’ll be Legends of the Shield and it’ll go over the different position groups whether it’s receivers, tight ends, defensive linemen, linebackers, safeties. And really been able to learn the history of the all-time greats here because I believe that when you’re able to learn and really understand the rich history of the organization you’re gonna play a little harder for the shield.”

It is clear that the number one overall pick is thoughtful in everything he does, and that he is giving deep thought to his new team and the responsibility that comes with being their leader.

Mendoza is also thoughtful for other people he has to lead. Scout, a four-legged member of the Mendoza family, is fed Royal Canin food because Fernando knows that this is how he can best help his pal. The Mendoza family trusts breed-specific nutrition from Royal Canin to support Scout’s health, especially at a time of transition like Fernando has been experiencing.

Royal Canin has Labrador Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food as well as Skin & Coat Supplemental Soft Chews for Adult Dogs and pups like Scout get to benefit greatly. Their health is taken care of while they enjoy delicious dining. Who wouldn’t want that?

Whether it is the Raiders, Royal Canin, or I’m sure even Scout’s lineage… Fernando Mendoza is associated with all sorts of historic franchises. It is going to be fascinating to see what he does to add to it all at the NFL level.

To the future.