Fernando Mendoza honored with Latino football icons

LAS VEGAS – Fernando Mendoza will not be the only Heisman winner in the room being honored Tuesday night. The first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft will be joined by one former Heisman Trophy winner –Jim Plunkett – and two former Raiders quarterbacks – Plunkett and Tom Flores.

The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame will induct seven legends into its inaugural Class of 2026. The “Celebración de Fútbol” will fittingly take place on Cinco de Mayo.

Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner who led Indiana to the College Football Playoff National Championship, will be recognized as the College Player of the Year. Last season Mendoza led the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and their first national title in football.

The Las Vegas Raiders picked him first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft last month.

‘A great honor’

“It’s a great honor,” Mendoza said of the Hispanic College Player of the Year honor. “There have been many great Hispanic players like Jim Plunkett.

“And there were many great Hispanic college players this year. So to be named College Player of the Year is a great honor.” 

Mendoza is Cuban American from Miami. He recognizes the sacrifices made by his family to make this moment possible.

“It really makes me proud for my grandparents,” he said. “The four of them immigrated from Cuba. Them living the American Dream allowed me to be on this stage. It means a lot.”

Mendoza’s early career draws parallels to one of the inductees.

Plunkett, who is of Mexican descent, was the first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy in 1970. The Stanford graduate was also the first Latino to go first overall in the NFL Draft. The other members of the inaugural Hall of Fame class are Tom Flores, Ted Hendricks, Tom Fears, Steve Van Buren, Anthony Muñoz and Ron Rivera.

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Plunkett was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders. He was named Super Bowl XV MVP. 

He’ll join his former Raiders coach Tom Flores, a Pro Football Hall of Famer of Mexican descent. Flores was the NFL’s first Latino starting quarterback. He was also the first Latino head coach and general manager. 

As a coach, Flores won two Super Bowls with the Raiders – 1981, 1984 – while becoming the first person of color to coach a Super Bowl champion.

Anthony Muñoz anchors class

Hendricks, who was of Guatemalan descent, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion – 1972, 1977, 1981, 1984. He is on the NFL’s 75th and 100th anniversary teams.

Fears was the first Mexican‑born player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He caught the winning touchdown in the 1951 championship game. Fears led the NFL in receiving yards in 1949. He led the league in receptions in 1950 and 1951.

Van Buren, a two-time NFL champion, was of Honduran descent. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. Van Buren led the NFL in rushing four times. 

Super Bowl champion Ron Rivera is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent. Rivera is the winningest head coach in Carolina Panthers history. He played nine seasons with the Bears and won the Super Bowl in 1985. 

Muñoz, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, is of Mexican descent. The former offensive lineman was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection. 

The Broncos’ Nik Bonitto and Ryan Estrada will also be recognized. Bonitto will be honored as the Pro Player of the Year. Estrada is the High School Player of the Year.