Following the greatest season in program history, Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers attended the White House for the traditional visit.
However, there was one major absence from the team that had just won its first national championship in program history.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza chose to skip the trip, citing his commitment to the Las Vegas Raiders and his need to catch up on his NFL development.
Even so, President Donald Trump made sure to give him his flowers during his traditional speech.
Donald Trump says Fernando Mendoza is a big fan of his
“This season was also historic because of starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza,” Trump said (h/t Aaron Rupar). “Now, the reason he’s not here, he was so nice; he called because he is actually JD [Vance], he’s a big fan of ours. You wouldn’t believe it because he didn’t show up. I’m not happy, but that’s okay. The reason he didn’t is because he’s at spring training. And I actually said, ‘Let him! He’s got to win.’ And I think he’s going to win pretty early, coach, right? You think pretty good?”