NCAA football champion and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza has joined the Wheels Up lineup as an ambassador.
2025 Heisman Trophy winner and 2026 College Football Playoff National Champion Fernando Mendoza is joining Wheels Up.
The probable top draft pick in the next National Football League draft is now an ambassador for the Delta Air Lines-backed private jet company.
Mendoza joins an illustrious list of professional football quarterbacks and star athletes who have fronted for Wheels Up.
They include NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady, Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson, 23-time Grand Slam tennis winner Serena Williams, three-time NASCAR Cup series winner Joey Logano, and baseball great Alex Rodriguez.
Per Wheels Up, “Mendoza and his family were drawn to Wheels Up for its customer-centric approach to aviation, modernized fleet, and hybrid travel model enabled through the Company’s strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines.”
Wheels Up is in the middle of a fleet renewal program.
Its new fleet is based on the Phenom 300 and Challenger 300 platforms.
Last September, it launched its new Signature membership.
According to the private jet company, “For Mendoza, this is especially meaningful, as it helps make travel more comfortable and manageable for his mother, Elsa, who lives with multiple sclerosis.”
Mendoza said, “Family means everything to me,” adding, “My mom has been my biggest supporter through every step of this journey, and being able to make travel easier for her means everything to me.”
Mendoza continued, “It can be difficult to find a seamless, efficient way for her to support the whole family and maintain her own treatment schedule.”
He said, “Wheels Up gives us the flexibility we need to be together for the moments that matter most.”
CEO George Mattson said, “Fernando exemplifies leadership, discipline, and purpose both on and off the field,” adding, “Despite his individual accomplishments, he is a family-first team player who we believe aligns strongly with our brand, and we are proud to support him with a flexible travel approach that ensures the people who matter most can be alongside him.”
Mendoza will engage with the Wheels Up community through select events and experiences.
So, where will Mendoza be playing this Fall?
It appears to be Las Vegas.
According to Sports Illustrated, “The Raiders, barring another team making an unorthodox offer to trade up for the No. 1 pick, are planning to select quarterback Fernando Mendoza as their franchise leader in April’s NFL draft.”
Brady, in addition to being a Wheels Up ambassador and strategic advisor to Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, is also a part-owner of the Las Vegas football team.
However, there is no reference to whether or not Brady played a role in Mendoza joining the Wheels Up team.
Wheels Up recently announced pro golfer Ben Griffin as an ambassador.
It has an ongoing alliance with celebrity chef Robert Irvine.
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