Hall of Famer Tom Flores blesses Raiders No. 1 pick Mendoza to wear No. 15
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One of the primary main choices for some rookies after the NFL Draft is what jersey quantity they want to wear to kick off their careers.
Sometimes, these numbers work towards the rookies, whether or not it is gamers already proudly owning their desired digits or a retired quantity getting in the way in which.
Las Vegas Raiders first total pick Fernando Mendoza had a slight hiccup for his No. 15 heading into the draft. But the person recognized for the quantity by the franchise gave his blessing to the quarterback of the longer term.
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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, chosen because the No. 1 total pick within the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, poses with Raiders basic supervisor John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak at a information convention in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“He deserves my blessing,” ex-Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores stated about Mendoza donning No. 15 subsequent season, in accordance to the team’s official website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
The Raiders by no means formally retired Flores’ quantity, however he wished to be sure that to let Mendoza know the way a lot he desires him to wear the quantity Mendoza starred in for the Hoosiers.
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“He’s perfect,” Flores stated of the Heisman Trophy winner. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch.”
Flores rocked No. 15 for the Raiders from 1960-66, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns throughout that span. He additionally starred for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs throughout their enjoying days.
Tom Flores, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, poses along with his bust through the induction ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2021. (Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images)
After retiring, Flores went into teaching along with his previous Raiders squad and ended up main them to two Super Bowl victories. Then, in 2021, Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mendoza was requested about Flores’ blessing to wear No. 15.
“It speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization,” Mendoza stated.
“I can’t thank [Flores] enough. I’m so blessed.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, chosen because the No. 1 total pick within the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a information convention on the Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Mendoza enters his NFL profession with excessive expectations, not simply being the No. 1 total pick, however enjoying for a proud franchise that’s hoping to get again to its Super Bowl-winning methods.
Mendoza will be a part of the remainder of the Raiders’ rookie class at minicamp Friday.
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