Fernando Mendoza’s rise from Miami native to Heisman Trophy winner, national champion, and No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft is one of the most celebrated stories in recent college football history. But behind every milestone, from the Big Ten Championship to the postgame embrace at the national title game, one figure has been at the center of the story: his mother, Elsa Mendoza.
Elsa has been seen in a wheelchair at every major moment of Fernando’s career, prompting widespread questions from fans about her health. The answer is that Elsa has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS) for nearly two decades, a progressive autoimmune disease that has gradually affected her mobility and changed the daily life of the entire Mendoza family. Rather than keeping her condition private, the family has chosen to use Fernando’s platform to raise awareness and funds for MS research, turning a deeply personal health battle into an inspiration for millions. Here is a complete account of Elsa Mendoza’s health journey, how it has shaped Fernando’s career and character, and what the family is doing to make a difference for others living with the same condition.
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What Illness Does Fernando Mendoza’s Mom Have
Elsa Mendoza has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system. MS damages the protective covering around nerve fibers, called myelin, which disrupts the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Over time, the disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, numbness, difficulty with coordination and balance, vision problems, and progressive loss of mobility.
Elsa was diagnosed approximately 18 years ago, according to a letter she wrote and published through The Players’ Tribune in December 2025. At the time of her diagnosis, her sons, including Fernando, were very young. She and her husband, Fernando Mendoza Sr., made the decision not to tell their children about the diagnosis initially, hoping to shield them from worry while she was still managing the condition without visible symptoms.
Catholic football star Fernando Mendoza arrived at the 2026 ESPYs with his mother, Elsa, who uses a wheelchair due to MS.
He proudly wheeled her down the red carpet as the two shared a joyful moment, smiling from ear to ear.
A beautiful example of honoring our parents. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PaIfVAeWcQ
— CatholicVote (@CatholicVote) July 17, 2026
“You and Alberto were so young, and I was doing fine,” Elsa wrote in her letter to Fernando. “And mostly, I didn’t want you to worry.”
MS is a progressive disease, meaning that it typically worsens over time, though the rate and severity of progression vary significantly from person to person. There is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis, though treatments exist that can help manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression.
Why Fernando Mendoza’s Mom Uses a Wheelchair
Elsa Mendoza uses a wheelchair because the progression of her multiple sclerosis has significantly affected her ability to walk and move independently. In her Players’ Tribune letter, she described a turning point that occurred roughly a decade after her diagnosis, when a skiing accident resulted in a broken ankle and knee. The combination of the injury and the underlying nerve damage from MS accelerated her mobility decline.
“I kept doing fine until about 10 years ago, when we went skiing and I broke my ankle and knee,” Elsa shared.
Her condition took another significant turn for the worse approximately five years ago, when she contracted COVID-19. The virus exacerbated her already compromised nervous system, pushing her mobility challenges to a point where walking became increasingly difficult. Fernando has spoken about this period candidly, telling Hoosiers Connect, the Indiana NIL collective, “At this point, she has a tough time moving around and stuff like that, but her happiness, her joy and her determination is what inspires me every single day and that’s what pushes me.”
Despite her reliance on a wheelchair, Elsa has remained a constant presence at Fernando’s games, attending from the sidelines at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Big Ten Championship, traveling to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, and celebrating on the field after the national championship victory in January 2026. Her determination to be present for her son’s biggest moments, regardless of her physical limitations, has become one of the most widely recognized elements of the Mendoza family’s public story.
Elsa Mendoza’s Life Before MS
Long before multiple sclerosis became a defining part of her daily life, Elsa Mendoza was an accomplished athlete in her own right. She played tennis at the University of Miami, competing as a Hurricanes athlete during her college years, an experience that gave her a firsthand understanding of the discipline and commitment required to compete at a high level.
Elsa and her husband, Fernando Mendoza Sr., raised three sons together: Alberto, Fernando, and Max. The family is Cuban American, based in Miami’s Coral Gables neighborhood, and both parents instilled a deep connection to faith, family, and hard work in their children. Fernando Sr. has been a steady presence alongside Elsa throughout her health journey, and all three brothers have spoken publicly about the impact their mother’s resilience has had on their own lives and careers.
Fernando has repeatedly credited his mother as the single biggest influence on his character and his approach to competition. “Our mom is our inspiration, our light, and gives us positivity every single day,” he told the IndyStar. “She’s my idol. I know she’s the same for Alberto, as both of our parents are, and seeing her fight and fight every single day gives us no excuse to ever take anything for granted.”
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Timeline of Elsa Mendoza’s Health Journey
Approximately 2007 — Elsa Mendoza is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She and her husband decide not to tell their young sons about the diagnosis.
Mid-2010s — A skiing accident results in a broken ankle and knee, compounding the effects of MS on Elsa’s mobility.
Approximately 2021 — Elsa contracts COVID-19, which significantly worsens her MS symptoms and accelerates her mobility decline, eventually making walking difficult.
December 2025 — Elsa publishes an open letter to Fernando through The Players’ Tribune, publicly detailing her MS diagnosis and the impact it has had on her life and family. Fernando refers to his mother as his “best friend” and “inspiration” in media interviews leading up to the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
December 13, 2025 — Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy and dedicates a portion of his acceptance speech to his mother, telling the audience, “Your sacrifices, courage and love, those have been my first playbook and the playbook I’m going to carry by my side throughout my entire life. You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong.”
January 19, 2026 — Indiana wins the College Football Playoff National Championship. After the game, cameras capture Fernando rushing to embrace his mother on the field. Elsa tells reporters, “This is a dream come true.”
April 23, 2026 — On the day of the NFL Draft, Fernando and the Mendoza family announce the Mendoza Family Fund, a fundraising initiative dedicated to supporting MS research and awareness. Elsa appears in a video announcing the fund, saying, “My name is Elsa Mendoza, and I have Multiple Sclerosis.”
April 24, 2026 — Fernando Mendoza is selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. He watches the selection from home in Coral Gables, Florida, with Elsa and the rest of his family by his side.
July 2026 — Fernando signs his four-year, fully guaranteed $57.27 million rookie contract with the Raiders and reports to training camp.
MS Awareness Through a National Platform
The Mendoza family’s decision to share Elsa’s story publicly, rather than keeping her condition private, has had a measurable impact on public awareness of multiple sclerosis. MS is a disease that affects approximately one million people in the United States alone, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, yet it remains a condition that many people outside the MS community know relatively little about.
Fernando’s willingness to speak about his mother’s condition in high-profile settings, from his Heisman acceptance speech to national television interviews to his social media presence, has given the disease a level of public visibility that few individual advocates can match. Tim Coetzee, president of the National MS Society, has publicly described Fernando’s advocacy as “incredibly impactful,” recognizing the platform the young quarterback has built as a tool for raising both awareness and research funding.
The Mendoza Family Fund, launched on the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, has raised nearly $150,000 in donations as of its most recent public update, with proceeds directed toward MS research and community support programs.
Social Media Reaction
Elsa’s appearances at Fernando’s games, and particularly the emotional on-field embrace following the national championship victory, generated enormous attention across social media platforms. The moment was captured by multiple broadcast cameras and widely shared online, with viewers praising both Fernando’s obvious devotion to his mother and Elsa’s determination to be present for the biggest moments of his career.
The Players’ Tribune also shared Elsa’s open letter across its social channels in January 2026, generating significant engagement. A tweet featuring a clip of the letter alongside footage of Fernando embracing his mother was shared thousands of times, with fans calling the Mendoza family’s story one of the most inspiring in college sports.
Fernando himself has used his social media platforms consistently to raise awareness for MS and to direct followers toward the Mendoza Family Fund, drawing tens of thousands of engagements on posts tied to his mother’s health journey.
Interesting Facts About the Mendoza Family
Elsa Mendoza played tennis at the University of Miami before her MS diagnosis, making her one of two collegiate athletes in the family, a connection that deepens the bond between mother and son around the demands and rewards of competitive sports.
Fernando Mendoza became only the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to win the Heisman Trophy and a national championship before being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, joining Cam Newton (2011) and Joe Burrow (2020) in that exclusive group.
The Mendoza Family Fund was announced just hours before the 2026 NFL Draft, with both Fernando and Elsa appearing in a video promoting the initiative. The fund has raised nearly $150,000 in donations for MS research and community support.
Fernando has described his mother as his “best friend,” a characterization he has repeated in interviews with the IndyStar, PEOPLE, ESPN, and The Players’ Tribune.
Elsa’s open letter to Fernando, published through The Players’ Tribune in December 2025, included the quote: “When you have to carry me up the stairs, you’ve always kept that same spark in your eye. No matter what kind of state I’ve been in, or day I’ve been having, you’ve never once looked away. You’ve never once treated me like I’m embarrassing, or deficient, or anything other than someone you love and are standing by.”
Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek praised the Mendoza family’s character on draft night, saying Fernando was “raised the right way” and “about the right things.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What illness does Fernando Mendoza’s mom have?
Elsa Mendoza has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system and progressively affects mobility, coordination, and other bodily functions. She was diagnosed approximately 18 years ago.
Why is Fernando Mendoza’s mom in a wheelchair?
Elsa uses a wheelchair because the progression of her multiple sclerosis has significantly impaired her ability to walk. A skiing injury that broke her ankle and knee roughly a decade ago, combined with a later COVID-19 infection that worsened her symptoms, accelerated the decline in her mobility.
When was Elsa Mendoza diagnosed with MS?
According to an open letter she published through The Players’ Tribune in December 2025, Elsa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis approximately 18 years earlier, placing the diagnosis around 2007.
Did Elsa Mendoza play sports in college?
Yes. Elsa was a tennis player at the University of Miami, making her a collegiate athlete before her MS diagnosis.
What is the Mendoza Family Fund?
The Mendoza Family Fund is a charitable initiative launched by the Mendoza family on the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft, dedicated to supporting MS research and community programs. As of its most recent public update, the fund has raised nearly $150,000 in donations.
What did Fernando Mendoza say about his mom in his Heisman speech?
During his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech in December 2025, Mendoza told the audience, “Your sacrifices, courage and love, those have been my first playbook and the playbook I’m going to carry by my side throughout my entire life. You taught me that toughness doesn’t need to be loud. It can be quiet and strong.”
Is there a cure for multiple sclerosis?
No. There is currently no cure for MS, though treatments exist that can help manage symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. These include disease-modifying therapies, physical therapy, and various symptom management strategies.
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Last Updated on September 4, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
