Rob Mendez

Rob Mendez was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare disorder that prevented the development of his limbs. Despite the challenges associated with this condition, he has not only survived but thrived. Mendez uses a custom-made wheelchair that he operates with his shoulders, and he diagrams football plays using a stylus he maneuvers with his mouth. From a young age, he cultivated his passion for football by playing Madden video games, which helped him grasp the fundamentals of the sport.

Mendez began his football coaching career as a high school student, initially serving as a manager and later as the quarterbacks coach during his senior year. After gaining 12 years of experience as an assistant coach at various local high schools, he was appointed the junior varsity head coach at Prospect High School in Saratoga, California, where his team achieved an impressive 8–2 record in his debut season. His unique approach and inspiring leadership were brought into the national spotlight when ESPN featured him in early 2019. That same year, he was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYS, recognizing his incredible resilience and dedication.

Beyond coaching, Mendez is also an accomplished author and motivational speaker. In September 2021, he published his memoir, "Who Says I Can’t? - The Astonishing Story of a Fearless Life," where he details his journey from childhood through various adversities to his achievements in football coaching and motivational speaking. His story has been featured in national media, including an ESPN documentary short "Who Says I Can’t?" which was nominated for a 2019 Emmy Award and showcased at the Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, Mendez has made appearances on various platforms, including the Rachel Ray Show, the NFL Network, and ESPN. He continues to engage and inspire audiences through his speeches, focusing on overcoming obstacles, teamwork, leadership, and education, while using his hashtag #WhoSaysICant to spread his message.