Bronx native serves as commentator with The Rock on NBC’s ‘The Titan Games’

From the streets of the Bronx to working with 'The Rock,' Alex Mendez has had an incredible path to stardom.

News 12 Staff

Feb 20, 2019, 11:25 AM

Updated 1,897 days ago

Share:

Bronx native serves as commentator with The Rock on NBC’s ‘The Titan Games’
From the streets of the Bronx to working with 'The Rock,' Alex Mendez has had an incredible path to stardom.
Mendez is currently a commentator for "The Titan Games" on NBC and credits his success to his hometown.
"If it wasn't really for the Bronx, I wouldn't be who I am,” says Mendez.
The 31-year-old’s road to success began in Mott Haven.
“You put your head down, you work hard, and you be nice to those around you, that's what my mom taught me and that's just how I applied everything to my life,” says Mendez.
The Stevenson High School alum didn’t start his career in broadcasting. Mendez had several different careers, before turning his passion for video games into a full-time gig.
"I wasn't making money from being a commentator, and I was just going to events and commentating because it was fun,” says Mendez.
Mendez now lives in Brooklyn and calls the action for several big eSports events around the world.
It was that exposure that led him to be discovered by NBC. He says he remembers getting the call about "The Titan Games" and its host, mega-star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
"Did you just say Dwayne Johnson? They're like yeah, ‘The Rock,’ do you know him? I'm like yes, of course I know him,” says Mendez.
He signed on, and almost immediately he knew they had a hit.
"It's just straight up competition between two people who want it and a person who set this platform up and we get to tell that story, and I think because of that simplicity people really, really enjoy that," he says.
Mendez hopes his story will be an inspiration to others to follow their own dreams.
"You can do it, it is very possible to do. If a kid from the hood who straight up lived a few blocks from this studio right here [is] capable of going on ESPN, to be on TBS, to be on NBC for eSports or physical competition shows, it is possible to accomplish your goals,” says Mendez.


More from News 12
1:38
Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

Police: 1 killed, 4 severely injured in fire and explosion at Old Bridge business

2:27
Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

Beautiful Thursday weather ahead; clouds and rain develop by the weekend

0:30
Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

Police: Boys bring loaded gun to indoor trampoline park, firearm accidentally discharged

2:21
Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

Lacey Township officials address residents’ concerns about water quality issues

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:18
Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

Officials: 14 injured when NJ Transit bus collides with Jeep in Jersey City

1:39
Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

Teacher testifies on second day of trial of father accused of fatally abusing son

0:43
Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

Jersey Proud: Girl Scouts deliver cookies to 2 NJ veterans hospitals

0:39
Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

Mother who accused Marlboro teacher of molesting daughter files lawsuit

1:01
Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Show to return to the Hudson River

0:26
‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

‘Sounded like a truck was driving by’: 2.6 magnitude aftershock hits Gladstone, USGS says

1:34
Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

Police: 7 people, including a baby and 3-year-old, injured in NJ Transit bus crash expected to be OK

0:28
Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

Funeral arrangements announced for fallen Passaic police officer Brian Lora

1:47
NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

NJ DOT to provide free shuttle service during Route 71 Shark River Bridge work repairs

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

Person struck, injured by NJ Transit train near Plauderville Station

0:27
Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

Police: Burglars in Glen Ridge steal key fob and get away with homeowner's car

0:42
Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

Bradley Food Pantry to temporarily close on May 17

0:16
Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

Officials: 17-year-old girl in critical condition following Newark shooting

0:19
Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

Kitten saved from sewer in Newark

0:17
Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels

Martinelli's apple juice recalled over high arsenic levels