Tom Flores gives blessing to Fernando Mendoza to wear Raiders No. 15 jersey

7 articles · Updated · Raiders.com · Apr 25

Flores, 89, personally endorsed Mendoza, the 2026 No. 1 overall draft pick, to wear his iconic number during Mendoza's first visit to Raiders HQ in Las Vegas.
Mendoza, a Cuban American, expressed deep respect for Raiders tradition and the significance of representing both the team and Latino heritage, following in the footsteps of Flores and Jim Plunkett.
Mendoza will become the 11th Heisman Trophy winner to play for the Raiders, highlighting the franchise's ongoing connection to football legends and its historic embrace of Hispanic players in the NFL.

Can Fernando Mendoza overcome the Raiders' curse of failed first-round quarterbacks?

How will Mendoza handle the cultural expectations of being a prominent Latino sports figure?

Will Tom Brady's mentorship help Mendoza handle the immense pressure of being drafted first overall?

With veteran Kirk Cousins on the roster, what is the Raiders' real timeline for starting their top pick?

Is a legend's blessing more meaningful for a team's culture than formally retiring a jersey number?