Which Raiders legend gave Fernando Mendoza permission to wear No. 15?

The Blessing and Flores' Legacy

Tom Flores, a Hall of Fame quarterback and coach who wore No. 15 for the Raiders from 1960 to 1966, explicitly granted his blessing for Fernando Mendoza to wear the same number. During his playing tenure with the Raiders, Flores threw for over 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns. After his playing career, he became a coach with the Raiders and led the team to two Super Bowl victories before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Flores' Assessment of Mendoza

Flores praised Mendoza as the right person to inherit the number. He stated that Mendoza 'deserves my blessing' and called him 'perfect,' noting that the Heisman Trophy winner 'can make every throw' and 'can make the plays.' Flores emphasized that the quarterback does it all and is fun to watch, expressing confidence in Mendoza's abilities and character.

Mendoza's Response

When asked about Flores' blessing, Mendoza expressed deep gratitude and acknowledged the significance of the moment. He stated that it 'speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider' and highlighted how involved the alumni are with the organization. Mendoza said he was 'so blessed' to be part of the Raiders organization and couldn't thank Flores enough.

Context of the Selection

Mendoza was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Heisman Trophy winner led Indiana to an undefeated season and a national championship, defeating Miami 27-21 in the CFB National Championship game with a notable goal-line leap for a touchdown.