Raiders legend gives Fernando Mendoza blessing to wear No. 15
Las Vegas Raiders legend Tom Flores has given rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza his blessing to wear the No. 15 jersey. Flores, a former Raiders quarterback and Super Bowl-winning coach, praised Mendoza as a complete player and ideal fit for the franchise. Though the number was never officially retired, Mendoza expressed deep gratitude for Flores' approval and the Raiders' tradition.
- ▪Tom Flores wore No. 15 as a quarterback for the Raiders from 1960 to 1966.
- ▪Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 after a successful career as both a player and coach.
- ▪Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, was selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Raiders.
- ▪Mendoza received the No. 15 jersey the day after being drafted and called Flores' blessing a great honor.
- ▪The Raiders have not formally retired No. 15, and other players like Kenny Pickett have worn it in recent years.
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NFL Raiders legend gives Fernando Mendoza blessing to wear No. 15 By Edward Lewis Published April 29, 2026, 8:06 p.m. ET Fernando Mendoza can wear No. 15 in Las Vegas with a clear conscience. Former Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores recently revealed he’s given the team’s top draft pick his blessing to wear his old number. “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said of Mendoza. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.” 3 Fernando Mendoza was given No. 15 the day after the Raiders selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. AP Flores quarterbacked the Raiders from 1960 through 1966, wearing the No. 15 throughout his time under center. In retirement, he coached the team, helping lead it to a victory in Super Bowl XV.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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