By Erin Coulehan
Photography by Katherine Kocian
When Will Hernandez arrived in El Paso as a teenager with big dreams and a relentless work ethic, he couldn’t have imagined just how deeply the city would shape him. Now, as a starting offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals, Hernandez is returning the favor – not with words, but with action.
Though born in Las Vegas, Hernandez proudly calls El Paso home.
“I came to UTEP as a 17-year-old boy and left as a 23-year-old man,” he reflects. “The people here embraced me, especially because of my Hispanic background. El Paso gave me so much – I feel more connected to this city than anywhere else.”
That connection inspired Hernandez to launch Mijo Things, a foundation and lifestyle brand rooted in culture, community, and self-improvement. More than a name, “Mijo Things” represents a movement; a brotherhood of individuals striving for excellence, honoring their roots, and paying it forward.
“The Mijos are a group of hardworking individuals committed to excellence in all we do,” reads the Mijo Things mission statement. “We value our roots and the journey that brought us here. We’re dedicated to giving back and inspiring the next generation.”
Through Mijo Things, Hernandez and his team partner football camps as well as lead mentorship programs and community outreach initiatives that focus on underserved and underrepresented youth. The mission is simple but powerful: to bridge the opportunity gap and show young athletes – especially those from Hispanic and minority communities – that they can thrive on the national stage.
“I didn’t touch a football until high school,” Hernandez says. “I didn’t have the resources or visibility that many top athletes have. But I learned, I worked hard, and I made it. Now, I want to be that resource for someone else.”
For many Latino youth, seeing someone like Will Hernandez, who shares their culture, language, and lived experience, thriving in the NFL and investing back into the community is powerful.
It’s not just about football; it’s about visibility.
It’s about showing kids that someone who looks like them, talks like them, and comes from where they come from can dream big and make it. Role models from the community help build confidence, identity, and a sense of possibility. They turn abstract dreams into something tangible.
When young people see someone who’s walked in their shoes achieve greatness, it shifts the mindset from “maybe” to “me too.”
That kind of representation isn’t just inspiring– it’s transformative.
At its core, Mijo Things is about more than sports. It’s a lifestyle rooted in discipline, gratitude, and self-growth.
“Mijo Things is about becoming the best version of yourself,” Hernandez says. “Whether that’s in football, in school, or just as a person, it’s about excellence in everything you do.”
Hernandez isn’t building Mijo Things alone, he’s joined by two of his former UTEP football teammates, Josh Ortega and Derek Elmendorff, who share his vision and deep connection to the community. Together, the trio is turning their shared experience as college athletes into a powerful platform for change.
The bond they formed on the field has transformed into a brotherhood rooted in trust, empathy, and a shared mission to uplift the next generation. Their teamwork is proof that when people from the same community come together with purpose, the impact multiplies.
Beyond athletic development, one of the most vital aspects of Mijo Things is its emphasis on mentorship and mental wellness – especially for boys and young men who need role models.
“There’s a huge need out there,” Hernandez explains. “Too many young guys are trying to figure things out on their own. They don’t know who to trust, or even how to talk about what they’re feeling.”
Mijo Things addresses this head-on by integrating mental health awareness into its ethos.
Whether it’s group discussions, one-on-one mentoring, or just creating a safe space for kids to be themselves, the foundation is working to break stigmas around emotional well-being, especially within Latino communities where such conversations are often overlooked or discouraged.
For Hernandez, leading by example isn’t about preaching. It’s about presence. It’s about showing up consistently and modeling resilience, not perfection.
“You can be the most physically gifted player in the world, but if your mind’s not right, none of that matters,” he explains. “I do small things to stay grounded. Every single morning, no matter where I am, I go on a 30-minute walk. I use that time to plan my day, process my thoughts, and clear any negative energy. Just like you warm up your body before a workout, you have to warm up your mind for the day.
Whether he’s blocking on Sundays or building up the next generation during the off-season, Will Hernandez is proving that being a “mijo” isn’t just a nickname: it’s a commitment to growth, grit, and giving back.
He’s not just influencing athletes. He’s raising leaders. And he’s reminding every young man out there – especially the ones who feel unseen – that they are not alone.
“We’re using the brand to create a sense of community and show younger Latinos that they belong in this space too,” he says. “We want to give them a platform, make them feel seen, and maybe even help them make that leap into the league one day.”
