On Saturday, Tom Flores -- and the Latino community campaigning hard for the Raiders Nation trailblazer -- will find out if he's been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Flores knew how to win. Both as a player and a coach.
Many are proud of him and his trailblazing career. Born to field workers in central California, Flores was the first Latino starting quarterback in professional football, the first Latino head coach, and the first coach of color to win a Super Bowl.
“I’ve been in this business 61 years so I’m very proud of that," Flores.
He’s one of only two people to win Super Bowl rings as a player, an assistant coach and as head coach, yet one honor has eluded the 83-year-old who now calls the Coachella Valley home.
Flores has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame numerous times, and was a finalist in 2019, but was not selected.
"The air just came out of my balloon," he said.
His next opportunity is Saturday, before Super Bowl Sunday.
“I’m getting more excited as we speak," he said.
The Latino community Flores inspires is waging a campaign to get him into the hall. From a Raiders video narrated by actor George Lopez describing him as “a man with a hall of fame worthy career” to a series of commercials and online petition by Coors Light.
There's also a resolution by the California Latino Legislative Caucus.
“I’m honored. I’m honored by it," he said.
And if he does get the ultimate honor this weekend?
“I’m going to have to wake up and pinch myself if it does happen and realize it really did happen," he said.
