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

Flores blesses Raiders top pick Mendoza for No. 15

Tom Flores, the former Raiders quarterback who wore No. 15, endorsed Las Vegas' No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza to wear the number next season. The Hall of Famer called the rookie "perfect" and said he deserves the blessing. Mendoza, selected first in the 2026 NFL draft, received the approval after a news conference in Henderson, Nevada, on April 24, 2026.

Flores wore No. 15 for the Raiders from 1960 to 1966, passing for more than 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns in that span. The franchise never retired the number. After his playing career, which also included stints with the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, Flores coached the Raiders to a Super Bowl victory in 1981 and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy winner from Indiana, starred in No. 15 for the Hoosiers. "He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do?" Flores said, according to the team's website. Mendoza replied that the endorsement shows the Raiders' alumni involvement. "Once a Raider, always a Raider," he said.

Mendoza joins the Raiders rookie class at minicamp Friday as the team seeks a return to Super Bowl contention.