Raiders legend gives Fernando Mendoza blessing to wear No. 15

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.”

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. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

The franchise never formally retired his number following his achievements — several, including quarterback Kenny Pickett in 2025, have worn it over the years — but he made it clear to the Raiders’ official website following the NFL draft that he nonetheless has no issues whatsoever with Mendoza taking it over from here.