Celebrating Latino Football past, present, future
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Luis Miguel,
- May 5, 2026
Hispanic Football Hall celebrates legends and young stars
HENDERSON, Nevada – In many ways, the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural class served as a reminder of the rich history of Latinos in football. Anthony Muñoz and Ron Rivera, two of the inductees, were quick to point out that the present and future is bright for Latinos who love football, whether as players or fans.
Muñoz, a USC and Cincinnati Bengals legend, is always checking with the NFL office to see the numbers of Latinos in the league. He has enjoyed seeing the number of Latinos in the NFL and college football grow over the last three decades.
“The numbers are growing,” Muñoz said Tuesday night. “And it’s something that people are not ashamed of. People will let you know. I think it’s pretty cool that the numbers are growing.
“It’s fun for me to go around the country like I have and meet a lot of the guys. … It’s fun to see the guys that are following up after we played.”
Important contributions
Jim Plunkett, Tom Flores, Ted Hendricks, Tom Fears, Steve Van Buren, Muñoz and Rivera were inducted into the HFHOF on Tuesday night during a ceremony at the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice facility. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, whom the Raiders picked first overall in the NFL Draft, was also honored as the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year.
The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto was honored as the Pro Player of the Year. El Paso El Dorado High running back Ryan Estrada, who signed to play at the University of Minnesota, was honored as the High School Player of the Year.
“People need to understand just how important our contribution is not only as players, but as fans of the game, people that love the game,” said Rivera, a former Super Bowl champion and NFL head coach. “I think our impact is felt in more ways than one.
“Not only being on the field. … People need to understand the Hispanic community represents 19 percent of today’s $160 billion sports economy. Hispanics spend 50 percent more than non-Hispanics on ticketing, streaming, TV packages, digital media and merchandise. Looking forward, our community will represent $1 out of every $3 in the U.S. sports economy.”
Rich Raiders Latino history
Flores, the first Latino and person of color to coach a team to a Super Bowl title, was not able to make it. Scott Flores, one of Tom’s three children, attended in his father’s place.
Hendricks, one of the most feared linebackers in NFL history, gave a brief speech. The four-time Super Bowl champion from Guatemala began his speech by giving thanks in Spanish before speaking in English.
“I played 15 years in professional football,” said Hendricks, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. “And I’m very happy to be up here accepting an award.”
Hendricks, who celebrated his 78th birthday in November, was the oldest honoree in attendance. Plunkett, who was born a month after Hendricks in 1947, was the second oldest honoree present.
“It’s a great honor to be chosen here for the Hispanic Hall of Fame,” the Mexican American Plunkett said. “Tom Flores, who was my coach when I got to the Raiders, instilled a lot of things in me besides football.
“About being Hispanic, about working harder than anybody else. I’m so proud to be out here among my family, my friends and those of you who came to this event.”
Jim Plunkett ‘proud’ to be honored
Plunkett made history in 1970 as the first Latino winner of the Heisman Trophy while at Stanford. He made more history when the New England Patriots picked him first overall in the 1971 NFL Draft, marking the first time a Latino was picked first.
Then on Jan. 25, 1981, Flores and Plunkett made the ultimate Latino football history. They capped the 1981 Oakland Raiders’ season with the Super Bowl XV title. Until then, no Latino starting quarterback or Latino coach had won a Super Bowl.
Plunkett was the Super Bowl XV MVP. He and Flores led the Raiders to another title three years later. Plunkett is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. He’s still waiting for a call from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Once again, I’m so proud to be here and be a part of this,” he said. “Work hard, study hard. Do the best you can. And if you fall short, get up and try again.”
Luis Miguel
Our Esquina contributor Luis Miguel is a Boston sports fan and former college basketball player who has built his career at the intersection of sports and business. He holds an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas and currently resides in Miami.
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