NEW<\/span>You can now listen to Fox News articles!\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n One of the first major decisions for some rookies after the NFL Draft<\/a> is what jersey number they wish to wear to kick off their careers.<\/p>\n Sometimes, those numbers work against the rookies, whether it\u2019s players already owning their desired digits or a retired number getting in the way.<\/p>\n Las Vegas Raiders<\/a> first overall pick Fernando Mendoza had a slight hiccup for his No. 15 heading into the draft. But the man known for the number by the franchise gave his blessing to the quarterback of the future.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, poses with Raiders general manager John Spytek and head coach Klint Kubiak at a news conference in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026.<\/span> (Ethan Miller\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n “He deserves my blessing,” ex-Raiders quarterback and coach Tom Flores said about Mendoza donning No. 15 next season, according to the team\u2019s official website<\/a>. “Because if he\u2019s not the real deal, I don\u2019t know what the hell I\u2019m doing.”<\/p>\n The Raiders never formally retired Flores\u2019 number, but he wanted to make sure to let Mendoza know how much he wants him to wear the number Mendoza starred in for the Hoosiers.<\/p>\n THE MOST INTRIGUING TEAMS AND PLAYERS OF THE 2026 NFL DRAFT’S FIRST ROUND<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n “He\u2019s perfect,” Flores said of the Heisman Trophy winner. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can\u2019t he do? He does it all. He\u2019s fun to watch.”<\/p>\n Flores rocked No. 15 for the Raiders from 1960-66, throwing for over 11,000 yards and 92 touchdowns during that span. He also starred for the Buffalo Bills<\/a> and Kansas City Chiefs during his playing days.<\/p>\n Tom Flores, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2021, poses with his bust during the induction ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 8, 2021.<\/span> (Ron Schwane-Pool\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n After retiring, Flores went into coaching with his old Raiders squad and ended up leading them to two Super Bowl victories. Then, in 2021, Flores was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n Mendoza was asked about Flores\u2019 blessing to wear No. 15.<\/p>\n “It speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I\u2019m so blessed to be a part of this organization,” Mendoza said.<\/p>\n “I can\u2019t thank [Flores] enough. I\u2019m so blessed.”<\/p>\n Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, attends a news conference at the Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nev., on April 24, 2026.<\/span> (Ethan Miller\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Mendoza enters his NFL career with high expectations, not just being the No. 1 overall pick, but playing for a proud franchise that is hoping to get back to its Super Bowl-winning ways.<\/p>\n Mendoza will join the rest of the Raiders\u2019 rookie class at minicamp Friday.<\/p>\n Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s<\/strong><\/i>\u00a0sports coverage on X<\/strong><\/i><\/a>\u00a0and subscribe to<\/strong><\/i>\u00a0the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/strong><\/i><\/a>.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/a57.foxnews.com\/static.foxnews.com\/foxnews.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1200\/675\/tom-flores-hall-fame-canton-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1\")
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