Fernando Mendoza is contributing not just on the field but off it as well. The Indiana quarterback launched a fundraising campaign in support of the National MS Society, an organization dedicated to curing Multiple Sclerosis and empowering those affected to live their best lives. He started the fundraiser with his brother, Alberto Mendoza, and the campaign has nearly reached its donation goal.

The brothers launched the Mendoza Burrito campaign last year at La Burrita in Berkeley in honor of their mother, Elsa Mendoza, who currently lives with Multiple Sclerosis. The donation goal was $20,000, and it has now reached $18,364.36, meaning the Mendoza brothers have nearly achieved their target. This year, the work didn’t stop, as they teamed up with two restaurants.

BuffaLouie and Gable’s Bagels have agreed to sell ‘Mendoza Bros. Burger’ and ‘Mendoza Bros. Cubano’ bagel sandwiches, respectively. 100% of the proceeds from this will directly go to the National MS Society for research, programs, and services. This act even highlights Fernando Mendoza’s love for his mother. “My mom means the world to me, she’s the most caring and positive person I know, and I’ll keep doing everything I can to support her and others living with MS!”

Reportedly, nearly a million people in the U.S. live with this disease, which can often be unpredictable and disabling. The chronic autoimmune disease causes a wide range of symptoms, which include numbness, weakness, vision problems, and balance issues. So, Fernando Mendoza’s decision to take the initiative in the fight against such a horrible disease has drawn an outpouring of support and love from fans. Supporters gathered on social media, flooding the comment section with messages of encouragement.

How fans reacted to Fernando Mendoza’s MS campaign initiative

Fernando Mendoza’s campaign nearly reaching its goal, shows how eager fans were to contribute to the cause. Many even took to X to share their reactions to the initiative by the Mendoza brothers. Some fans connected deeply with Mendoza’s heartfelt message about his mother, especially those with family members who also suffer from MS.

One fan wrote, “Well, now I’m def an Indiana fan. And I’m sure my mother (who has MS) will be too.” That comment perfectly captured the impact of the campaign, showing how Mendoza’s effort is not only raising awareness but also inspiring people to embrace Indiana in support of his mission.

Indiana supporters were proud of Mendoza’s initiative. One supporter worded it perfectly, commenting, “Our program is just different than yours.” And they are not wrong. As of now, only Fernando Mendoza and his brother have taken the initiative towards curing MS. The comment section delved into a GIF war.

One fan posted the legendary Terrell Owens “That’s my quarterback” meme in response to the post by Indiana, showcasing their love and respect for the quarterback in a humorous tone. Another fan did the same, but with Ryan Gosling’s clapping at the Oscars meme. With the GIF war going on, a fan took the opportunity to promote the campaign, commenting, “DONATE DONATE DONATE!”

For the fans, it helped show them that Fernando Mendoza and his brother Alberto Mendoza were not just football players, but also good human beings, who fight for the well-being of the people.