Las Vegas Raiders fans are convinced Fernando Mendoza is the way to g… — and more

The NFL draft is two months away, however, for fans of the Las Vegas Raiders, the drama should be over.

The Raiders, of course, own the No. 1 overall pick in the April 23-25 draft.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner, had been the early favorite to be the team’s pick. But that went to the next level after his incredible play in a NCAA playoff win over Oregon. Mendoza was near perfect in the game.

He looks like the clear-cut choice. The Raiders badly need a young quarterback and Mendoza fits the bill perfectly, it seems.

Still, we our our readers. Yes, they agree. In a popular poll, about 90 percent of the poll takers agree that Mendoza is the choice.

So, it’s clear most fans aren’t on the fence about Mendoza. They aren’t eying anyone else. They don’t want the Raiders trade the pick for a load of compensation.

They want Mendoza.

Here are some of your responses:

'Thank you, Golden State Warriors': Hawks legend echoes fans after huge trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Dominique Wilkins couldn't hold back.

Jonathan Kuminga had just thrown down a left-handed hammer slam dunk that surely made 'Nique proud, and he just had to let the whole basketball world, especially the Golden State Warriors, know about it.

Wilkins is the color commentator for Hawks broadcasts, and when Kuminga threw down his post, Wilkins went for it.

"Thank you, Golden State Warriors," Wilkins said.

It's the same thing Hawks fans were saying, and even have been chanting, lately.

Kuminga has played just three games with Atlanta. He already looks like a star after his trade from the Warriors.

Golden State never figured out how to use Kuminga.

Atlanta has simply let Kuminga be himself, and it's working wonderfully.

Dominique Wilkins qui trolle les Warriors pour le trade de Kuminga en play-by-play, c'est si doux ! pic.twitter.com/OR77TkdNbm

— Hawks Fans France 🇫🇷 (@ATLHawksFR) March 2, 2026

MORE: Rip Hamilton's son is committed to play D-I college basketball

Kuminga dropped 20 points on Sunday night, including that poster slam.

In his first game with Atlanta, he scored 27 points in just 24 minutes (9-12 FG, 3-4 3FG, 6-7 FT) while grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out four assists and snatching two steals.

In the second, Kuminga had 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.

Kuminga isn't just scoring. He's been empowered to play his game, which actually is more well-rounded than he displayed with Golden State.

The Warriors may end up regretting this one.

More NBA news:

• Knicks' unheralded forward sets all-time NBA record by not being shy
• Jonathan Kuminga looks right at home with the Hawks
• Neemias Queta makes Celtics history not done since Robert Parrish

Uefa has fined Tottenham Hotspur and given them a suspended ban from selling away tickets after three supporters made Nazi salutes towards Eintracht Frankfurt fans.

The incident occurred during their Champions League fixture - which Spurs won 2-0 - at the German club's Deutsche Bank Park on 28 January.

Uefa said it issued the ban for "the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters" and it was "suspended for a probationary period of one year".

Tottenham were fined £26,000 (30,000 euros) by European football's governing body in addition to £1,966 (2,250 euros) for objects thrown by their supporters.

Spurs said the "conduct of a small number of fans" was "utterly abhorrent" and have issued them with banning orders.

"We can confirm that all three individuals found to be making Nazi salutes towards Eintracht Frankfurt fans have been identified and have received indefinite bans under the club's sanctions and banning policy," said Spurs.

"The club stands firmly against all forms of discrimination and has therefore taken the strongest possible action. The disgusting behaviour of a minority of so-called fans on the night is in no way reflective of the values of our club and its supporters."

Last week, Real Madrid launched an investigation after a supporter allegedly performed a Nazi salute before the club's Champions League win against Benfica.

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My dad turned 64 this weekend, and so far things are looking good. I still need him, and he’s been well-plied with an assortment of Thai food, homemade brioche and apple cobbler. He taught me about rhythm and keeping time one afternoon while we sat on the floor in his office, my clumsy five-year-old hands working hard to hit the one, TWO, three, FOUR of “Love Me Do” before giving up in the chaos of “Yesterday,” so there were lots of these jokes leading up to Saturday. 

Baseball isn’t really his thing. He’s more driven by nitrate-rich hot dogs than discourse around the hot corner, but we turned the radio on yesterday and midway through the seventh inning, as he sliced salami and cheese (are you sending a theme?), he looked up and asked, “Is this Shannon Drayer?” I was flabbergasted. 

“Wow. Um, yeah, it is.” And then, because meat isn’t the only thing this man thrives on, “Great job, Dad! I’m shocked – and so impressed!”

He smiled, pleased to still be surprising me. “Of course I know her. She was so nice to my girl, I’ll always remember that.”

Almost a decade ago, I was granted Mariners media credentials for a freelance piece I’d pitched without considering the consequences of my actions. Namely, that in order to write said piece, I’d have to actually conduct interviews with the players. I was so petrified of appearing as young, foolish and inexperienced as I was, I did something absurd. I asked for help. Specifically, I sent a message to Shannon Drayer on Twitter (rip), asking for any tips about how to navigate the clubhouse. Rather than send me some vague info, or leave me on read, or any of the other things she would have been well within her rights to do, she replied and said I could meet her in the press box and shadow her as needed that day. Sure enough, I arrived hours before first pitch, heart pounding, and there she was. I followed her everywhere, as she introduced me to folks, kindly explained the unwritten rules of the clubhouse, helped me navigate the elevators and did her best to get me in front of the players I needed to talk to. I’d never felt like a more grateful duckling, and it solidified me as a Shannon fan for life.

This is a long-winded series of anecdotes to get to the real question, but it’s an off-day during Spring Training and we are a community, not (just) a soulless pit of letters and numbers. Sometimes it’s nice to channel the beloved old-school blogger vibes. Anyway, what’s one of your favorite baseball celeb memories? Did you almost step on Mike Leake while he was lying on the floor? Did you lose by a country mile to Jonatan Clase in a foot race? Did you have to chase after a perhaps-not-sober Wade Boggs on a golf course? Did you flag a random guy over during BP to ask for an autograph without knowing who he was, only to show the accompanying picture to your family and learn it was mid-Cy Young Award-winning season Blake Snell? Did you have a near-death experience after choking on your coffee when Félix Hernández walked into Chace’s Pancake Corral while you were enjoying your Tuesday morning ritual? Lay it all on me (or try to guess which of these examples is made up)