Fernando Mendoza wasted no time cashing in on his status as a No 1 NFL Draft pick after appearing in a bizarre commercial for LinkedIn almost an hour into his Las Vegas Raiders career.
As expected, Mendoza was taken first overall by Tom Brady’s Raiders on the opening night of this year’s Draft, having established himself as the projected No 1 pick after inspiring Indiana to the national championship in January.
And shortly after the NFL’s worst-kept secret was finally confirmed in Pittsburgh, Las Vegas’ new quarterback popped up in a LinkedIn ad which has been blasted by fans online.
The commercial shows Mendoza being interviewed at a post-Draft party, with a reporter asking him how it feels to have ‘just got the call.’
‘It is such a blessing and, oop… sorry. One second,’ the 22-year-old says before pulling out his phone. ‘I need to post on LinkedIn.’
Mendoza then types away on his phone before turning it to the camera to show that he’s just posted on the professional networking platform.
Fernando Mendoza appeared in a LinkedIn commercial straight after being selected with the No 1 pick in the NFL Draft
Tom Brady and the Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza with the first overall pick as expected
‘Boom, posted. Now it’s official,’ he adds before the commercial draws to a close.
While the ad was pre-recorded, Mendoza – an avid LinkedIn user – did actually publish the same post on his account after being drafted by the Raiders, reading: ‘It’s official. Grateful for the opportunity and ready to get to work!’
But fans were not best pleased with his ‘cringey’ TV appearance.
‘Mendoza has been in the NFL for 45 minutes and he’s already done one super corny cringey advertisement with LinkedIn – Man how times have changed,’ one user posted on X.
‘After the LinkedIn commercial, I hope Mendoza is a bust,’ another fan brutally wrote.
A third put: ‘Mendoza hitting us with a cringe a** LinkedIn ad.’
‘Fernando Mendoza and LinkedIn makes more sense than anything, ever,’ a fourth claimed.
While one joked: ‘I’ve been off Twitter for a bit. I’ll break my hiatus to say whoever created that Fernando Mendoza LinkedIn commercial should serve prison time.’
Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, led the Indiana Hoosiers to the national championship
Mendoza, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, had his name read out first by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, but he was not in Pittsburgh on Thursday night and instead spent the night with his family in Coral Gables, Florida. His mother, Elsa, has multiple sclerosis so traveling is difficult.
Wild celebrations broke out inside the Mendoza family home as his name was read out on the TV they were crowded around. As well as his loved ones inside, there were lots of people partying in the garden.
After hugging every member of his family, Mendoza told ESPN: ‘The last five months have been such a blessing by God. College was fantastic, now I step into a great game in the NFL. I look forward to earning and proving it every day.’
Asked about the Raiders, he added: ‘What a great organization, great legacy, so many great teammates, great owners. I’m ecstatic for the opportunity.’
When the broadcast cut to the Raiders’ draft ‘war room’ there was no sign of Brady.
The poised and polished Mendoza will now get a chance to learn from part-owner Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion, but will first have to battle Kirk Cousins for the starting spot after the veteran quarterback signed with the Raiders earlier this offseason.
