"What's Up, Mr. Brady?": The 4 Words From the No. 1 Pick That Made the NFL World Cringe

Alright, you guys gotta hear about this. Fernando Mendoza, the guy the Raiders snagged as their No. 1 draft pick this year, just had his first official meet-and-greet with the franchise, and it went *viral*. Like, instant internet firestorm viral. He’s only been a Raider for about two months, but his introduction to team minority owner Tom Brady had fans absolutely losing it, calling the whole thing "cringe." You know Brady, the guy with a 5% stake and the biggest name in that ownership group? Yeah, that Brady. And how did Mendoza greet the legend? Over FaceTime, no less, with a simple, "What's up, Mr. Brady? How are you doing?"

"Mr. Brady" and the Internet Meltdown

Can you believe it? The interaction blew up, and the internet had zero chill. Some fans were outright savage. One fan typed, "Calling Tom Brady 'Mr. Brady' to his face? Mendoza is trying so hard to be the ‘respectful rookie’ it’s actually painful to watch. The cringe levels are off the charts." Ouch. Another person was just wondering, "Over/under on years until he meets him in person?" Honestly, I get it. It’s a bit of an awkward vibe, right? You're meeting a living legend who's now part-owner, and you're the No. 1 pick. The pressure is real! Brady himself even asked Mendoza to drop the "Mr." because that's usually reserved for his dad. It was a lighthearted moment, sure, but the internet never forgets. But hey, not everyone thought it was a total disaster. Some fans saw it as a genuinely respectful move from a rookie facing arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. One fan wrote, “‘What’s up, Mr. Brady?’ is the perfect combine opener. Respectful, terrified, and one syllable away from as

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

king him to sign a football." That's actually kinda genius. Others praised Mendoza, saying he "seems down to earth and grounded, hope he stays strong. It’s refreshing to see." And yeah, someone even imagined Brady "smiling ear to ear after that." It's a mixed bag out there, but the conversation is still buzzing.

More Than Just an Awkward Intro: Brady's Mentorship is REAL

Here's the kicker: beyond the viral moment, this connection is huge for Mendoza. Brady, the ultimate QB, wished him luck and told him to keep being himself because he's already done great things. And honestly, who better to guide a young quarterback wanting to be elite? Brady is the most qualified person on the planet for that job. Being part of the Raiders means Mendoza gets to build a real relationship with the NFL legend. According to Front Office Sports, Mendoza’s relationship with Brady is actively growing, and he's getting invaluable advice. He even said, "Our relationships growing, asking him more questions, and he’s been able to give firsthand a lot of advice that has happened in his career. And also advice when he’s come out to OTAs, seeing the way I play, that firsthand advice as well." That's the real deal, folks. Think about it: Mendoza is coming off an absolutely insane season with the Indiana Hoosiers, where he straight-up won the national title, snagged the offensive MVP award, *and* brought home the Heisman Trophy. The kid's got talent, no doubt. With Brady in his corner, giving him that firsthand insight from the GOAT, Mendoza might actually be exactly what the Raiders need to get back on track. It's still early in his pro career, but this relationship could define Mendoza's journey. Keep your eyes peeled on this one. It's gonna be wild to watch how it all plays out!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.