When NFL rookie Fernando Mendoza decided to skip the Indiana Hoosiers' White House celebration with President Donald Trump, the commander-in-chief made it clear he wasn't thrilled.

"Now the reason he's not here — he was so nice he called — he's a big fan of ours," Trump said during Monday's ceremony, standing alongside Hoosiers wide receiver Charlie Becker and head coach Curt Cignetti. "You wouldn't believe it 'cause he didn't show up, I'm not happy but that's okay."

The Las Vegas Raiders quarterback, 22, had a solid excuse: he was at the first day of OTAs (organized team activities) with his new team. For a rookie trying to earn his place in the NFL, missing practice simply wasn't an option.

"If it is on the first day of OTAs, like I said, I'm on the bottom of the totem pole here. I gotta prove myself," Mendoza said earlier this month. "I can't miss practice. As a rookie, I don't think that's a good look. I want to try to best serve my teammates and I don't know if that'd be accomplishing that goal."

Mendoza wasn't alone in sitting out. Center Pat Coogan and D'Angelo Ponds also skipped the event due to NFL commitments, according to The Athletic. In the world of professional football, where every practice rep matters, loyalty to your new team often takes priority over celebrating past glory.

At the ceremony, Becker, Cignetti, and Jamari Sharpe — whose game-changing interception helped seal the national championship — represented the Hoosiers. Trump even asked Cignetti if the team could repeat next season.

"We've got a chance if we commit, have great discipline, and if we can handle success, and we can handle failure," Cignetti responded.

For Mendoza, the decision was about building his future. In the NFL, showing up for your teammates during training camp speaks volumes — even if it means missing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the White House.