Ryan McFadden Oct 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.…