Raiders legend gives blessing to first overall pick Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15: 'He's perfect'

One of nan first awesome decisions for immoderate rookies pursuing nan NFL Draft is what jersey number they wish to deterioration to footwear disconnected their career.

Sometimes, those numbers activity against nan rookies, whether it’s players already owning their desired digits, aliases a number status getting successful nan way.

For Las Vegas Raiders first wide prime Fernando Mendoza, he had a flimsy hiccup for his No. 15 heading into nan draft. But nan man known for it wrong nan franchise gave his blessing to nan caller backmost of nan future.

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Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected arsenic nan No. 1 wide prime successful nan 2026 NFL draught by nan Las Vegas Raiders, poses pinch Raiders wide head John Spytek and caput coach Klint Kubiak astatine a news convention successful Henderson, Nev., connected April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"He deserves my blessing," ex-Raiders backmost and coach Tom Flores said astir Mendoza donning No. 15 this upcoming season, per nan team’s charismatic website. "Because if he’s not nan existent deal, I don’t cognize what nan hellhole I’m doing."

The Raiders ne'er formally retired Flores’ number, but he wanted to make judge to fto Mendoza cognize really overmuch he wants him to deterioration nan number he starred successful for nan Hoosiers.

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"He’s perfect," Flores said astir nan Heisman Trophy winner. "He tin make each throw. He tin make nan plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s nosy to watch."

Flores rocked No. 15 for nan Raiders from 1960-66, throwing for complete 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns during that span. He besides starred for nan Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days.

Tom Flores, a personnel of nan Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, poses pinch his bust during nan induction ceremonial astatine Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium successful Canton, Ohio, connected Aug. 8, 2021. (Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images)

After retiring, Flores went into coaching pinch his aged Raiders squad and ended up starring them to a Super Bowl XV victory. Then, successful 2021, Flores was inducted into nan Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Mendoza was asked astir Flores’ blessing to deterioration No. 15.

"It speaks to nan testament of erstwhile a Raider, ever a Raider. Of really progressive nan alumni is. And I’m truthful blessed to beryllium a portion of this organization," Mendoza said.

"I can’t convey [Flores] enough. I’m truthful blessed."

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected arsenic nan No. 1 wide prime successful nan 2026 NFL draught by nan Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news convention astatine nan Raiders Headquarters successful Henderson, Nev., connected April 24, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Mendoza enters his NFL profession pinch very precocious expectations, not conscionable being nan No. 1 wide pick, but playing for a proud franchise that is hoping to get backmost to its Super Bowl-winning ways.

Mendoza will subordinate nan remainder of nan Raiders’ rookie people during their minicamp, starting this Friday.

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