The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame announced February 17 that its inaugural Class of 2026 will be honored May 5, Cinco de Mayo, at Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters in Henderson.
For Las Vegas, that is the headline. The Raiders will host the debut of a new Hall created to preserve history, showcase excellence and inspire future generations by highlighting Hispanic contributions to football.
The inaugural class includes former Raiders Jim Plunkett, Ted Hendricks and Tom Flores.
“This inaugural class reflects excellence, lasting legacy, and a future where the next generation can see themselves at the highest levels of the sport,” selection committee chair Sandy Nunez said.
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Raiders legends lead the moment in Henderson
The Raiders connection runs deeper than the venue. Plunkett, Flores and Hendricks each carry a championship-level tie to the franchise, so their induction lands differently in Southern Nevada.
Plunkett delivered two Super Bowl titles with the Raiders and earned Super Bowl XV MVP honors. He also authored one of the most memorable postseason runs in team history, which is why Raiders fans still debate his long-term Hall of Fame standing.
Flores brings rare impact in two roles. He played quarterback for the Raiders, then later coached the franchise to two Super Bowl championships.
Flores coached 12 seasons in the NFL and posted a 105-90 overall record with a 97-87 regular-season mark. In the playoffs, his teams went 8-3. He also won two conference championships and two division titles, and he earned AFC Coach of the Year honors in 1982 from UPI and the Football Writers Association of America.
Hendricks gives the group a defensive cornerstone. The Guatemalan-born linebacker, known as “The Mad Stork,” won four Super Bowls in his career including Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII with the Raiders.
The full class spans NFL history
While the Raiders names will draw the local spotlight, the Hall’s first class reaches across eras and positions.
Tom Fears, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, starred for the Los Angeles Rams and was the first Mexican-born player inducted into Canton, according to the Hall. Steve Van Buren, also a Pro Football Hall of Famer, powered the Philadelphia Eagles to two NFL titles and finished his career as the league’s all-time rushing leader at the time, the Hall said.
Anthony Muñoz, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, built a reputation as one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. Ron Rivera, meanwhile, earned recognition for his impact as both a player and head coach, including leading Carolina to a Super Bowl appearance, according to the Hall’s release.
Bonitto headlines the annual awards
The May 5 celebration will also recognize annual honorees. Earlier this month, the Hall named Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto its inaugural Hispanic Professional Football Player of the Year.
Bonitto recorded 14 sacks during the 2025 season, and the Broncos said a Hall committee selected him in a February 4 release. Rivera praised Bonitto in the award announcement and said the honor was created to celebrate players who match his standard on and off the field.
Who is behind the Hall
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2025 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The organization lists Rivera and Muñoz as founding board members, while Nunez serves as secretary and David Ortega serves as treasurer.
In addition, the Hall’s selection committee includes national media members and a Raiders tie through Raiders.com columnist Paul Gutierrez.
What it means for Las Vegas
Henderson will not simply host a ceremony. Instead, the Raiders will host the launch of a Hall that aims to become a national meeting point for football history and Hispanic representation.
Because the venue sits at Raiders Headquarters, the event also places franchise history in the center of the celebration. For Vegas fans, that connection feels immediate: Plunkett, Flores and Hendricks won titles in silver and black, and now the city will host the night that honors their broader impact.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
