As the projected No.1 overall, Fernando Mendoza, decides not to throw at the NFL Combinethat is set to kick off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday, February 23, ESPN analyst Ryan Clark drew a comparison between how the league and the fans treated Shedeur Sanders and are now treating the Indiana star.
USATSI 28152497 168422142 lowres
Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) smiles as he celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Shedeur Sanders faced a heartbreaking draft slide during the 2025 NFL Draft, when he went from being projected to go in the top 10 overall picks to sliding to the 5th round and eventually being picked by the Browns.
At the time when the ex-Colorado star made the decision not to throw at the combine, many individuals ridiculed him for doing that and said that he should’ve shown off his skills at the event to help the NFL teams make their decisions.
Now that Mendoza has made the same decision, Ryan Clark reacted and said everyone saw what happened when a black person chose not to throw at the combine, and added that he wants to see what would happen when a white person is doing it.
“I’m so sick of the race baiting bs. Like, you only need to look at Caleb Williams or Cam Ward to disprove it. For people like Ryan Clark a person who is Black can never be criticized for their flaws because if they are it’s racist. Honestly, it’s a dumb argument and lazy, like the person who said it.” one fan reacted.
“Ryan Clark is obsessed with race. Eventually, he’s gonna get knocked out by a white person. He has a slick mouth, and he’s one of the worst analyst in the NFL. Get rid of this doofus.” one fan commented.
“Clark is lower than the scum at the bottom of a New York city dumpster, & should be fired. ESP[N]OT would do it if they weren’t lower than the inside of a rat’s belly in a NY sewage. Both are vile and disgusting.” another fan added.
“Why do people still care what Ryan Clark says or thinks? Constantly says things that are intentionally offensive, derogatory or just plain hater takes. He’s always wrong, doubles down on his worst takes, and from what@espn’s other pundits say, no one likes him.” another fan questioned.
“Funny he Hispanic but yeah no that shit no reason to bring a qb that’s doing it for himself he knows he locked at number 1 you saw tapes of him you should already know his strength and his weakness to me combine overreaction know a good football player by heart.” Another fan shared their frustration.
“Cam Ward didn’t throw at the combine, neither did Caleb Williams. This race baiting POS, Ryan Clark, knows damn well that the QBs guaranteed to go 1st over-all don’t throw, race doesn’t matter.” another fan pointed out.
Read more – LOOK: Chiefs Star Patrick Mahomes and Wife Brittany Take Kids Out to Fun-Packed Peppa Pig Theme Park During Offseason
Insider Highlights Concerns Hovering Over Fernando Mendoza’s Potential Raiders Move
Fernando Mendoza has been titled as one of the best players to come out of the 2025 season, as he finished the year with 3,535 throwing yards, 41 touchdowns, and even led the year with 90.3 QBR.
The ex-Indiana star also won the Heisman Trophy and the national championship, ending his year on a high note.
Mendoza is basically a done deal to be the No.1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and go to the Raiders, while the Indiana QB expressed his gratitude for the upcoming opportunity, Colin Cowherd expressed his concern with the potential union.
“I don’t worry about Fernando Mendoza; I worry about the Raiders as his parent in this league. Bottom line, even if Klint Kubiak is a good coach, he’ll probably be the fourth-best coach in his division, and ownership is impulsive and ridiculously impatient. I don’t have a Mendoza issue; I have a Mendoza to the Raiders issue.”
Cowherd also bluntly shared his opinion of Mendoza and said he doesn’t believe the young qb is a Caleb Williams caliber player.
Read more– “He’sSo Obviously A Chief” “Such A Patriot”: NFL Fans React As Tyreek Hill Gets Released By Dolphins
Follow me here on Gridiron Heroics and get the latest on the world of NFL and college football. From the drama surrounding Shedeur Sanders, Bill Belichick – Jordon Hudson tea, Brittany Mahomes’ stylish looks to Taylor Swift’s appearances on Chiefs game days, this will be your one-stop shop for all NFL and college football stuff. You can also reach out to Prasen Singh via email at prasensingh272@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news,click here!
Follow me here on Gridiron Heroics and get the latest on the world of NFL and college football. From the drama surrounding Shedeur Sanders, Bill Belichick – Jordon Hudson tea, Brittany Mahomes’ stylish looks to Taylor Swift’s appearances on Chiefs game days, this will be your one-stop shop for all NFL and college football stuff. You can also reach out to Prasen Singh via email at prasensingh272@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news,click here!
Follow me here on Gridiron Heroics and get the latest on the world of NFL and college football. From the drama surrounding Shedeur Sanders, Bill Belichick – Jordon Hudson tea, Brittany Mahomes’ stylish looks to Taylor Swift’s appearances on Chiefs game days, this will be your one-stop shop for all NFL and college football stuff. You can also reach out to Prasen Singh via email at prasensingh272@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news,click here!
Follow me here on Gridiron Heroics and get the latest on the world of NFL and college football. From the drama surrounding Shedeur Sanders, Bill Belichick – Jordon Hudson tea, Brittany Mahomes’ stylish looks to Taylor Swift’s appearances on Chiefs game days, this will be your one-stop shop for all NFL and college football stuff. You can also reach out to Prasen Singh via email at prasensingh272@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest sports news,click here!