motivational
#1 in NFL Draft – And in Charity: Fernando Mendoza Just Pledged Half Million to Fight MS, Honoring Mom
The new #1 draft pick pledged $500,000 to MS research in honor of his mother Elsa, capping years of burrito-and-burger fundraisers with his brother.
The newest Heisman Trophy winner was chosen as the #1 pick in the NFL draft Thursday, but the young quarterback is also a #1 charitable giver.
Fernando Mendoza announced this week a commitment of $500,000 to the National MS Society to accelerate progress toward a world free of multiple sclerosis.
The new Mendoza Family Fund builds on years of creative fundraising for MS undertaken by Fernando and his brother Alberto, who’s continuing his collegiate football career at Georgia Tech, while his sibling moves on to the pros.
For years, in honor of their mother, Elsa, who lives with MS, the brothers have spearheaded grassroots fundraising that has already tallied more than $360,000.
When he was still a little known quarterback locked in a battle for the starting job at University of California, he launched the ‘Mendoza Burrito’ partnering with Berkeley’s La Burrita, with all proceeds going to the National MS Society.
After moving to Indiana and becoming a Midwest football hero, he partnered with Buffalouie’s and Gables Bagels to create another Cuban-themed dish to honor his heritage—the “Mendoza Burger”—donating a percentage from each sandwich sold.
The delicious result was over $150,000 going to the MS Society in 2025, says Sports Business Journal.
Inspired by Elsa’s strength and resilience, Fernando and Alberto have used their platforms to raise awareness, mobilize communities, and support others affected by the disease.
In a touching example, at Christmastime he gave four families affected by MS $10,000 each to go on a shopping spree at the Adidas store.
His personal donation this week of $500,000 to the National MS Society will fund MS research at the University of Miami Health System and Miller School of Medicine.
“This fund is about my mom and the millions of people living with MS,” said Fernando.
“My mom has taught our family strength, resilience, and positivity. My brothers Alberto and Max, my dad, and I – we’ve all learned from her example.”