Fernando Mendoza will continue to wear his preferred No. 15 in the NFL with the Las Vegas Raiders, but only after obtaining permission from a franchise legend.
Mendoza wanted the blessing of former Raiders quarterback Tom Flores before wearing the number. Flores quarterbacked the Raiders to a win in Super Bowl IV while wearing the number.
While the Raiders do not officially retire numbers, and numerous players have worn No. 15 since Flores, Mendoza still sought approval.
“I had a good college career; I haven’t done anything in the NFL. So for him as an NFL legend, a Raider legend, for him to give me permission to wear the number 15 and represent Raider Nation, the Silver and Black and him, all in one, it’s an eternal blessing,” Mendoza told Paul Gutierrez of the team’s official website. “Every single day I’m going to have a commitment to excellence to make sure than I can live up to that standard.”
Flores told Gutierrez that Mendoza can do it all on the field, and that it would be a “privilege” for the quarterback to wear No. 15.
“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”
This is par for the course for Mendoza, who has done everything right since his emergence as a top NFL prospect. He never sets a foot wrong in public and his deference to Raider tradition, especially when it wasn’t even necessary, will only further endear him to the team’s fanbase.
