The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition Fernando Mendoza bobblehead on June 12, celebrating the former Indiana University quarterback and top overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft as he begins his professional career with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The collectible release follows the Raiders’ offseason minicamp, which concludes on June 11. Produced in confluence with Mendoza, the novelty features the rookie quarterback standing next to a miniature, functional version of the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Each piece will be individually numbered and retails for $45, with shipments expected to begin in November.
The tribute comes on the heels of an unprecedented collegiate campaign that completely transformed the landscape of Hoosier football. Mendoza, a transfer who previously started for the California Golden Bears, guided Indiana to a flawless 16-0 record and the 2025 college football national championship. Along the way, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound quarterback became the first player in Indiana University history to win the Heisman Trophy.
Mendoza’s statistical dominance is woven directly into the record books. Over 16 games, he completed 72 percent of his passes by connecting on 273 of 379 attempts for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Proving his versatility on the ground, he also rushed for 280 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns.
The peak of Mendoza’s collegiate legacy occurred during the championship game against Miami. This performance anchored the historic run for local fans. Clinging to a tight 17-14 lead, Mendoza executed a designed draw play on fourth-and-5 from the 12-yard line, going airborne from the 2-yard line to stretch the ball over the goal line. The touchdown secured the national title on his high school hometown turf in Miami.
“We’re excited to unveil this unique bobblehead featuring Fernando Mendoza standing next to the iconic bobbling sign welcoming the quarterback to Vegas,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Phil Sklar said. “Fernando is sure to be a fan favorite in Las Vegas and this will be a must-have for his fans, including those in Vegas, his hometown of Miami, and of course Indiana fans who cheered him and the Hoosiers on to the national championship.”
The new Las Vegas edition joins a previously released Indiana Hoosiers national champions collection, which featured Mendoza alongside head coach Curt Cignetti and the university mascot.
Pre-order the bobblehead by visiting store.bobbleheadhall.com.
Contact multimedia & senior sports reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
