'We're gaining momentum': How Mendoza is representing all the Hispanic NFL players before him

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  Ryan McFaddenOct 24, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

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  Ryan McFadden covers the Las Vegas Raiders for ESPN's NFL Nation. Prior to ESPN, McFadden was a Denver Broncos beat reporter for the Denver Post. McFadden also wrote about the Baltimore Ravens and University of Maryland athletics for The Baltimore Sun.

IN HIGH SCHOOL in 2021, Fernando Mendoza watched former Texas A&M quarterback Zach Calzada, a Cuban American like himself, and wondered about other Cubans and Hispanic quarterbacks who played at the next level. More importantly, he wanted to know how many of them had success in the NFL, even winning Super Bowls --- a dream of his.

A Google search opened Mendoza's eyes. He researched Tom Flores and Jim Plunkett, who are considered trailblazers for Latinos in the sport. Flores (Mexican American) was the first Hispanic quarterback in the NFL in 1960 when he debuted for the Oakland Raiders -- who are now based in Las Vegas. Plunkett, also Mexican American, was a college standout at Stanford, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1970 before being drafted by the New England Patriots with the first overall pick in 1971.

Plunkett is the first Hispanic American player to win the Heisman Trophy and be drafted No. 1.

Flores and Plunkett simultaneously became the first Hispanic coach and first Hispanic quarterback to win a Super Bowl. The duo helped the Raiders defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV in 1981 -- the first of two Super Bowls that they won together. Plunkett was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

"To see that example [and] to know whatever I am doing, it is possible, meant a great deal to me," Mendoza told ESPN.

As the Raiders' No. 1 pick in April's draft, Mendoza is now doing more than just viewing Flores and Plunkett as inspirational figures. Mendoza is continuing their legacy. Should Mendoza start for the Raiders, he'll join another No. 1 pick in Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young as the only starting quarterbacks of Hispanic descent in the NFL this season.

Regardless of whether he wants to be, he is a beacon of hope for the Raiders, with a fairly large Hispanic fan base. Flores and Plunkett symbolize the franchise's glory days, and they believe Mendoza can help bring the team back to relevance. Mendoza understands the role bestowed upon him can be pressure and a privilege. At the same time, it's added motivation for him to have a career that can be an inspiration for others who look like him.

"It's a great sense of pride knowing that it's been done before and it can be done; winning a championship [while] being Hispanic as the focal point," Mendoza said. "However, it's also a great deal of pressure, and that's something I take upon myself whenever I make decisions."

WHEN MENDOZA ARRIVED in Las Vegas after April's 2026 NFL draft, the magnitude of his presence was evident. The Raiders have not been to the postseason since 2021, which was the last year they finished with a winning record. The organization hasn't been to the Super Bowl since 2002 and hasn't hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy since Plunkett and Flores led the Raiders to a victory over the Washington Commanders in Super Bowl XVIII in 1984.

On top of that, Las Vegas has also swung and missed at finding a long-term answer at quarterback in recent years. Even now, with 38-year-old Kirk Cousins leading the offense, he is still a short-term solution. Mendoza, on the other hand, is looked upon as someone who can provide stability for years to come.

Fernando Paredes, a 45-year-old Mexican and founder/president of Raiders Laguna, a fan club for those living in the Comarca Lagunera region of Mexico, said it's a "dream" for Mendoza to be a part of the organization.

Paredes became a Raiders fan at age 9. No one in Paredes' family watched football. However, his dad gifted him a Raiders bomber jacket, leading Paredes to watch Raiders games and ultimately fall in love with the organization.

Paredes' excitement for Mendoza stems from Latinos such as Flores and Plunkett leading the team to championships.

"That is the hope that Raiders Nation has with Fernando Mendoza," Paredes said. "All of Raider Nation in Mexico ... we hope."

Flores played six seasons (1960-61, 1963-66) with the Raiders. In 84 games (64 starts) with the Raiders, Flores threw for 11,635 yards, 92 touchdowns and 83 interceptions. Flores was hired by late owner Al Davis to be the head coach in 1979, becoming the second Hispanic coach in NFL history. Tom Fears was the first when the New Orleans Saints hired him in 1967.

Mendoza is the fifth quarterback of Hispanic descent to play for the Raiders, joining Flores, Plunkett, Chon Gallegos (Mexican American) and EJ Manuel (Afro-Latin American). Gallegos was a backup for six games in 1962, while Manuel made one start in two games with the Raiders in 2017.

"We've accomplished a lot of good things, and I'm looking forward to watching [Mendoza] progress and help the Raiders get back to the Super Bowl," Plunkett, who played eight seasons with the Raiders (1978-86), told ESPN.

The Raiders are believed to have one of the league's largest Hispanic fan bases, welded in part by Plunkett and Flores. At the same time, the team's previous homes, Los Angeles and Oakland, and even their current one, Las Vegas, have substantial Hispanic populations.

Hispanics represent 34.7% of Las Vegas' population, according to the latest U.S. Census. They make up 47.2% of the population in Los Angeles and 28.7% in Oakland.

Mexico has one of the Raiders' largest international fan bases. In 2021, the Raiders were awarded marketing rights in Mexico through the league's Global Markets Program. They also have various fan clubs based in Mexico such as Raiders Laguna and Raiders Nation MX, which occasionally host watch parties and events.

Raiders Spanish play-by-play commentator Harry Ruiz, a Mexican American from Los Angeles, said Mendoza playing quarterback for the Raiders is significant for their Hispanic fans because they have a quarterback who looks like them.

"When it comes to Latinos, especially in a space like football in the United States, you support each other," continued Ruiz, who is in his seventh year as an announcer for the Silver & Black. "He might not be our [same country of origin], but we embrace him because his family went through the fight that my parents went through -- fighting for the American dream -- and now he's living the dream at the highest level in the NFL as the quarterback."

Former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera, a former NFL linebacker and the third Hispanic coach in league history, expressed a similar sentiment.

"The Black Hole [a well-known Raiders fan club] is a mixture of all the fan bases that are out there celebrating the Raiders," Rivera said. "To know that Fernando represents one of them is a big deal."

When former punter Leo Araguz, a Mexican American, was with the Raiders, he remembered the strength of the team's Latin fan base and the love they showed him. The Raiders provided Araguz with his first shot at the NFL after he played college football at Stephen F. Austin State University.

He had brief stints with the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers, but the Raiders gave Araguz a chance to play when they signed him in 1996. Araguz went on to play four seasons (51 games) with the Raiders and holds the NFL record for most punts in a game (16).

"Al Davis took a chance on us," Araguz told ESPN. "The Latin community is always going to be cheering for the Raiders because I think it comes from the fact that Al Davis did have that Hispanic connection to his players."

Davis was a champion of diversity. In 1989, 10 years after Flores became the Raiders' head coach, Davis hired Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle Art Shell to be the NFL's first African American head coach. In 1968, the Raiders drafted Eldridge Dickey with the 25th overall pick, making him the first African American quarterback selected in the first round.

Araguz said the stars aligned perfectly for the Raiders when they drafted Mendoza. Araguz looks forward to seeing the community standing behind Mendoza and watching kids wear the former Indiana star's jersey to games.

"We are excited for all of it," Araguz said. "At the end of the day, we all have the Hispanic blood in us, the fire and determination. So, having Fernando [carrying] the torch for us and having the community come together even more so because we want to all see Fernando be successful, and if he's successful, the Raiders are successful."

GROWING UP IN San Jose, Plunkett never expected he would inspire others such as Mendoza and Rivera. Plunkett recalled falling in love with American football while playing two-hand touch in the streets. That passion led to a momentous college career at Stanford, where he went 22-8-2 in three years as a starter and helped the Cardinal win the 1971 Rose Bowl.

Plunkett went on to play 15 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders, Patriots and 49ers. He was the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1971 and the league's Comeback Player of the Year in 1980.

"I was very proud of what I was able to accomplish," Plunkett said. "We have more Hispanics playing the game, and I look forward to seeing them in the NFL."

Over time, the league has had Hispanic players such as Tony Gonzalez, Victor Cruz, Mark Sanchez, Tony Romo and Jeff Garcia. The list of Hispanics on 2026 NFL rosters includes Broncos edge rusher Nik Bonitto, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and Lions running back Isiah Pacheco.

Mendoza, Bonitto, Seahawks safety Julian Love and New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave are of Cuban descent. Former players such as offensive tackle Luis Sharpe Jr. (1982-94), Ralph Ortega (1975-80), guard Joe Lamas and Lou Molinet (1927) were born in Cuba. Molinet is known for being the first Cuban and Hispanic player in NFL history.

The Panthers' Bryce Young, the 2023 No. 1 pick whose maternal grandfather was born in Mexico, is the only starting quarterback of Hispanic descent. Mendoza would become the second when the Raiders name him the starter.

"I'm very grateful for that," Young said. "Just having representation, hopefully do what I can to inspire and show them that anything is possible."

Mendoza made his regular-season debut in the fourth quarter of Week 5's loss to the New England Patriots. He completed six of eight passes for 48 yards during the Raiders' final possession. It's uncertain when he will take over for Cousins, who is tied with Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence and San Francisco's Brock Purdy for throwing the most touchdowns in the league (14) and has guided Las Vegas to a .500 record through six weeks.

At the collegiate level, Latino and Hispanic players made up 3.3% (1,161) of Division I football players in 2025, according to the NCAA's demographic database. That percentage marks a 90.6% increase compared to when the NCAA's database started in 2012; only 0.02% (609) of D1 football players were Latino or Hispanic back then.

Among those players is Mendoza's middle brother and Georgia Tech starting quarterback, Alberto Mendoza. After playing backup to his brother at Indiana in 2025, Alberto transferred to Georgia Tech, where he has thrown for 1,528 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions in six starts.

"For my brother and me, it's been a blessing to represent a group who haven't had a lot of people playing in the National Football League or in college football," Alberto told ESPN.

In February, Plunkett, Flores and former Raiders linebacker Ted Hendricks (born in Guatemala and raised in Miami Springs), were among seven former players and coaches inducted into the inaugural Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, co-founded by Rivera and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Munoz.

Rivera, who is of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent, said he helped start the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame to support the Latino community.

"We're gaining momentum [in football]," Rivera said. "It's important that people know who we are and that we're there celebrating not just the athletes, but also celebrating the fan base that comes out and supports them."

Fernando Mendoza was the inaugural recipient of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame College Player of the Year after throwing for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns in his lone season at Indiana.

Mendoza is the third Hispanic American to win the Heisman Trophy and be drafted first overall, joining Plunkett and Young. He also became the first Latino starting quarterback to win a FBS football national championship when he led Indiana to a win over Miami in January.

"Fernando is going out there and showing the kids that it could be done no matter what Hispanic heritage you come from," Araguz said. "These kids are going to say, 'If [Mendoza] can do it, it opens doors for our future that's coming.'"

CULTURE IS EVERYTHING for the Mendoza brothers.

"It gives you a sense of identity, knowing where your roots are," Alberto said. "I think that's very important for somebody who's growing up."

Fernando's mentality was forged from his Cuban roots. All four of his grandparents migrated from Cuba to Miami in 1960 following the Cuban Revolution.

Mendoza said he learned a lot from his grandparents, especially his maternal grandfather Alberto Espino. He credits Espino with teaching him resilience and encouraging him to finish whatever he starts, no matter the trials and tribulations along the way.

"That's been a big thing for my family," Mendoza said. "I take pride in trying to reciprocate those values."

Mendoza's family stressed to him and his brothers the importance of knowing where they come from. In 10th grade, Fernando and Alberto accompanied Espino and his maternal grandma, Alicia Espino, on a church-sponsored relief trip to Cuba.

They saw where their grandparents grew up, went to school and church, and understood more about their upbringing.

"You've heard about this one thing for all your life, and then you finally experience it. So sometimes naturally, your mind has different imagery or different expectations, and when you actually experience the real thing, it was a great deal of shock," Fernando said. "It gave me more sense of pride."

Being with the Raiders made Mendoza want to continue to tap into his Hispanic roots, including strengthening his Spanish-speaking skills. He said he wants to use Spanish more to further his connection with the Raiders' Hispanic fan base.

"Honestly, as a second-generation, Spanish was something that I've learned from a young age, and I've always been conversational, hearing bits throughout my life," Mendoza said. "But being in English-dominant schools, it's faded away just because of the curriculum and my own responsibility of not using it as much, so I put that on me.

"Now [there's] been another wave of inspiration to learn Spanish to serve and represent the Hispanic community."

Mendoza wants to be a motivational figure the same way Flores and Plunkett have been to his career. He carries that weight whether he is playing or waiting for his name to be called.

But that weight is less a burden than motivation to continue exceeding expectations.

"It [crosses] my mind not just playing but off the field," Mendoza said. "I'm trying to do my best not to let the Hispanic community [and] organization down, [and] to best serve my teammates to win games."