Colts QB Daniel Jones 'willing and happy' to help IU's Heisman contender Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza jokes he was "trying to be like" Colts quarterback Daniel Jones with a black eye during Indiana's win over Wisconsin. The admiration is mutual.
INDIANAPOLIS — Fernando Mendoza joked this week that, after a recent conversation with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, Mendoza got dinged up around the face in Indiana’s win over Wisconsin so he could emulate Jones’ visible toughness.
The respect, Jones said Wednesday, is mutual.
Jones made headlines after crashing face-first into a bench during Indianapolis’ comeback win against Atlanta in Germany earlier this month. When he stood up, the former Duke star had been visibly bloodied around his mouth.
On an appearance with Pat McAfee earlier this week, Mendoza gestured to the black eye he suffered against the Badgers as “trying to be like” Jones, a respectful nod to the toughness required at their shared position.
Mendoza mentioned he’d been able to speak recently with Jones, who during the Colts’ weekly press availability said he’s had his eye on his position mate to the south this season.
“I saw them, actually, when we were in Germany,” Jones told reporters Wednesday. “He’s fun to watch. He’s a really good player, a good passer. You can tell he’s smart and knows where the ball is supposed to go.”
Jones said he watched Mendoza’s performance during Indiana’s comeback win at Penn State on Nov. 8, the day before Indianapolis’ game against Atlanta in Berlin.
The watch wasn’t so easy on Jones’ tight end, Tyler Warren, who starred in State College before being drafted into the NFL in April. Warren, Jones said, “was struggling there at the end” as Mendoza captained a game-winning drive inside the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.
But one in-state quarterback came away impressed with another, as Jones said he’s happy to lend experience and advice wherever it’s helpful.
“It’s been fun to watch him,” Jones said. “It was good to talk to him and catch up, and hear about how things are going at Indiana, and kind of how he’s been processing this season.
“Any kind of help or support I can give, I’m certainly willing and happy to.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts quarterback Daniel Jones on Fernando Mendoza, Indiana football
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