Hall of Famer Tom Flores blesses Raiders No. 1 pick Mendoza to wear No. 15
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One of the first major decisions for some rookies after the NFL Draft is what jersey number they want to wear to start their careers.
Sometimes these numbers work against rookies; whether it’s players who already have desired numbers or a retired number stepping in.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, had a slight stint going 15th overall entering the draft. But the man known by the team’s number gave the future quarterback his blessing.
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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, poses with Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak during a news conference in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“He deserves my endorsement,” former Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores said of Mendoza’s 15th pick next season. official website of the team. “Because if that’s not the truth, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
The Raiders never officially removed Flores’ number, but he wanted to make sure he let Mendoza know how much he wanted him to wear the number Mendoza played with the Hoosiers.
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“He’s perfect,” Flores said of the Heisman Trophy winner. “He can make every throw. He can make the play. What can’t he do? He makes everything. It’s fun to watch.”
Flores played 15th overall for the Raiders from 1960-66, throwing for more than 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns during that time. He also starred for the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days.
Tom Flores, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, poses with his bust during his induction ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 8, 2021 in Canton, Ohio. (Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images)
After his retirement, Flores began coaching his former Raiders and led them to two Super Bowl victories. Later in 2021, Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mendoza was asked to approve Flores to wear number 15.
“It speaks to the testament of someone who was once a Raider, always a Raider. It speaks to how involved the alumni are. And I’m so happy to be a part of this organization,” Mendoza said.
“I can’t thank you [Flores] sufficient. “I’m very happy.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, attends a press conference at Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Mendoza enters his NFL career with high expectations; Not only is he the No. 1 overall pick, but he plays on a proud team hoping to get back to Super Bowl-winning ways.
Mendoza will join the rest of the Raiders’ rookie class at minicamp on Friday.
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