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Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores  Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.  The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.  “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”  Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.  “He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”  Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.   “He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”  Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.   Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.  Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores

Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores
Deadspin | Raiders’ Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15 with blessing from Tom Flores  Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.  The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.  “He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”  Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.  “He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”  Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.   “He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”  Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.   Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.  Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #FloresApr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.

“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.

“He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”


Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.

“He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”

Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores

Apr 24, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the Festival of Football at the Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Top overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza will wear jersey No. 15 with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The selection of that jersey number comes with the blessing of Hall of Famer Tom Flores, a two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Raiders as well as the first quarterback in franchise history. Flores wore the No. 15 with the then-Oakland Raiders from 1960-66.

“He deserves my blessing,” Flores said, per the team website. “Because if he’s not the real deal, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.”

Flores, 89, didn’t stop there.

“He’s perfect,” Flores said of Mendoza. “He can make every throw. He can make the plays. What can’t he do? He does it all. He’s fun to watch. … Plus, he’s a good-looking kid. Like me.”

Mendoza repaid the compliment upon hearing it.

“He’s more handsome than me,” Mendoza said. “But, it speaks to the testament of once a Raider, always a Raider. Of how involved the alumni is. And I’m so blessed to be a part of this organization. I can’t thank (Flores) enough. I’m so blessed.”

Flores, obviously, wasn’t the only player to wear No. 15 with the Raiders, who don’t retire jersey numbers. Fellow quarterbacks Jeff Hostetler, Matt Flynn and Gardner Minshew II have won the number, as well as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Nelson Agholor.

Mendoza, 22, provided the signature moment to his epic season with a dive across the goal line on fourth down in the No. 1 Hoosiers’ 27-21 victory over No. 10 Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship game on Jan. 19.

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds, Mendoza completed 72% of his passes for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season. He also rushed for 276 yards and seven scores in his lone season with Indiana after transferring from Cal (2023-24).

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Raiders #Fernando #Mendoza #wear #blessing #Tom #Flores

The San Antonio Spurs took care of the Portland Trailblazers in round one on Tuesday night, finishing the series off 114-95 in a “gentleman’s sweep”. Victor Wembanyama was back to 100% in this one with a quiet, yet efficient 17-point, 14-rebound performance.

Outside of missing some time with a concussion, Wemby proved, at least early in the playoffs, that the moment will not be too big for him. Excluding game two, where he only played 12 minutes before leaving with his concussion, Wemby averaged 26-points and 10-rebounds a night in this series. Also, Portland did not reach 100 points in any full game in which Wemby was available.

All of this goes to say that the Spurs can go as far as Wemby takes them in the playoffs. He’s the face of their franchise and proving to be at least a top-five player in the entire league.

I wanted to start this by giving Victor Wembanyama his due flowers, because the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.

Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.

But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.

Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.

Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.

You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.

#DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com">De’Aaron Fox Is the X-Factor to San Antonio Spurs Playoff Success | Deadspin.com   The San Antonio Spurs took care of the Portland Trailblazers in round one on Tuesday night, finishing the series off 114-95 in a “gentleman’s sweep”. Victor Wembanyama was back to 100% in this one with a quiet, yet efficient 17-point, 14-rebound performance.Outside of missing some time with a concussion, Wemby proved, at least early in the playoffs, that the moment will not be too big for him. Excluding game two, where he only played 12 minutes before leaving with his concussion, Wemby averaged 26-points and 10-rebounds a night in this series. Also, Portland did not reach 100 points in any full game in which Wemby was available.All of this goes to say that the Spurs can go as far as Wemby takes them in the playoffs. He’s the face of their franchise and proving to be at least a top-five player in the entire league.I wanted to start this by giving Victor Wembanyama his due flowers, because the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.   #DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com

the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.

Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.

But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.

Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.

Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.

You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.

#DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com">De’Aaron Fox Is the X-Factor to San Antonio Spurs Playoff Success | Deadspin.com

The San Antonio Spurs took care of the Portland Trailblazers in round one on Tuesday night, finishing the series off 114-95 in a “gentleman’s sweep”. Victor Wembanyama was back to 100% in this one with a quiet, yet efficient 17-point, 14-rebound performance.

Outside of missing some time with a concussion, Wemby proved, at least early in the playoffs, that the moment will not be too big for him. Excluding game two, where he only played 12 minutes before leaving with his concussion, Wemby averaged 26-points and 10-rebounds a night in this series. Also, Portland did not reach 100 points in any full game in which Wemby was available.

All of this goes to say that the Spurs can go as far as Wemby takes them in the playoffs. He’s the face of their franchise and proving to be at least a top-five player in the entire league.

I wanted to start this by giving Victor Wembanyama his due flowers, because the Spurs are truly great because of him; however, De’Aaron Fox might be the single most underrated player in the entire NBA.

Throughout the playoffs, we’ve seen the rise of San Antonio’s other young stars in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Both of them have been tremendous at points in the playoffs, and because of that, it’s hard to imagine a future where the Spurs can keep Fox long-term.

But that’s the best part about watching a young team. You’re able to keep a lot of veterans on the rosters, while the young and up-and-coming stars are still on their rookie contracts. Because of that, a guy like De’Aaron Fox can become really underrated.

Outside of a poor shooting game two, Fox was super efficient in this first round of the playoffs. He averaged just over 20 points a game while shooting 50% from the field and 37% from three. Most importantly, in the fourth quarter of the final two games of the series, he emerged as the closer.

Over those two games, he was 10/13 from the field in the 4th quarter, and was consistently hitting big shots when the Spurs needed them. One of the biggest issues young teams face in the playoffs is closing out games.

You obviously need Wemby to take over most fourth quarters, but having a reliable guard who consistently hits big shots and plays his best in the clutch is massive. Castle and Harper are going to be the future, but San Antonio looks like a team that can win right now. If that’s going to happen, they’re going to need Fox to continue his great play in the clutch.

#DeAaron #Fox #XFactor #San #Antonio #Spurs #Playoff #Success #Deadspin.com
Deadspin | Marlins edge Dodgers for first road series win of season  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) slides safely in front of the tag by Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images   Sandy Alcantara went six strong innings, Javier Sanoja had a go-ahead bloop single in the eighth inning and the visiting Miami Marlins finished off a series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 3-2 win on Wednesday.    Liam Hicks and Esteury Ruiz hit home runs as the Marlins took two of three from the two-time defending champion Dodgers for their first road series win of the season.    The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth but Miami pulled off the victory when second baseman Xavier Edwards completed an unassisted double play on a Freddie Freeman ground ball to end the game.    Alcantara gave up two runs on seven hits over six innings, while left-hander Andrew Nardi (2-1) pitched a scoreless seventh and Calvin Faucher pitched the ninth for his first save.    Tyler Glasnow gave up two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, while Alex Call and Dalton Rushing drove in runs for Los Angeles, which has won just one of its past four series.    The Dodgers are 5-7 since April 18 and finished 3-3 on their just-completed homestand.     Edwards singled to lead off the eighth inning for Miami, went to second on a groundout and scored on Sanoja’s bloop single to right off right-hander Will Klein (1-2).  The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Hicks hit a towering home run down the right field line that nearly made it into the second deck.    The Dodgers answered immediately when Max Muncy doubled in the bottom of the second and scored when Edwards lost Alex Call’s popup in the sun as the ball fell untouched on the infield dirt.    Miami did not have another hit off Glasnow until the fifth when Ruiz hit a two-out home run on the first pitch.    Los Angeles tied it 2-2 in the sixth when Kyle Tucker led off with a double and scored on Rushing’s one-out single to right field.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Marlins #edge #Dodgers #road #series #win #seasonApr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) slides safely in front of the tag by Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Sandy Alcantara went six strong innings, Javier Sanoja had a go-ahead bloop single in the eighth inning and the visiting Miami Marlins finished off a series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 3-2 win on Wednesday.

Liam Hicks and Esteury Ruiz hit home runs as the Marlins took two of three from the two-time defending champion Dodgers for their first road series win of the season.

The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth but Miami pulled off the victory when second baseman Xavier Edwards completed an unassisted double play on a Freddie Freeman ground ball to end the game.

Alcantara gave up two runs on seven hits over six innings, while left-hander Andrew Nardi (2-1) pitched a scoreless seventh and Calvin Faucher pitched the ninth for his first save.

Tyler Glasnow gave up two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, while Alex Call and Dalton Rushing drove in runs for Los Angeles, which has won just one of its past four series.


The Dodgers are 5-7 since April 18 and finished 3-3 on their just-completed homestand.

Edwards singled to lead off the eighth inning for Miami, went to second on a groundout and scored on Sanoja’s bloop single to right off right-hander Will Klein (1-2).

The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Hicks hit a towering home run down the right field line that nearly made it into the second deck.

The Dodgers answered immediately when Max Muncy doubled in the bottom of the second and scored when Edwards lost Alex Call’s popup in the sun as the ball fell untouched on the infield dirt.

Miami did not have another hit off Glasnow until the fifth when Ruiz hit a two-out home run on the first pitch.

Los Angeles tied it 2-2 in the sixth when Kyle Tucker led off with a double and scored on Rushing’s one-out single to right field.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Marlins #edge #Dodgers #road #series #win #season">Deadspin | Marlins edge Dodgers for first road series win of season  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) slides safely in front of the tag by Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images   Sandy Alcantara went six strong innings, Javier Sanoja had a go-ahead bloop single in the eighth inning and the visiting Miami Marlins finished off a series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 3-2 win on Wednesday.    Liam Hicks and Esteury Ruiz hit home runs as the Marlins took two of three from the two-time defending champion Dodgers for their first road series win of the season.    The Dodgers loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth but Miami pulled off the victory when second baseman Xavier Edwards completed an unassisted double play on a Freddie Freeman ground ball to end the game.    Alcantara gave up two runs on seven hits over six innings, while left-hander Andrew Nardi (2-1) pitched a scoreless seventh and Calvin Faucher pitched the ninth for his first save.    Tyler Glasnow gave up two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings, while Alex Call and Dalton Rushing drove in runs for Los Angeles, which has won just one of its past four series.    The Dodgers are 5-7 since April 18 and finished 3-3 on their just-completed homestand.     Edwards singled to lead off the eighth inning for Miami, went to second on a groundout and scored on Sanoja’s bloop single to right off right-hander Will Klein (1-2).  The Marlins took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Hicks hit a towering home run down the right field line that nearly made it into the second deck.    The Dodgers answered immediately when Max Muncy doubled in the bottom of the second and scored when Edwards lost Alex Call’s popup in the sun as the ball fell untouched on the infield dirt.    Miami did not have another hit off Glasnow until the fifth when Ruiz hit a two-out home run on the first pitch.    Los Angeles tied it 2-2 in the sixth when Kyle Tucker led off with a double and scored on Rushing’s one-out single to right field.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Marlins #edge #Dodgers #road #series #win #season

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