Tom Flores, a Raiders great and Sanger’s own, wins induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame
Tom Flores, completing a historic rise from a small central San Joaquin Valley farm town to the pinnacle of his profession as the first Hispanic coach to win a Super Bowl, received induction Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It capped a lengthy wait for Flores, who grew up in Del Rey and Sanger, starred as a quarterback for Fresno City College and the University of the Pacific, then played nine years, mostly for the Oakland Raiders, in the early days of the AFL before turning to coaching.
“It’s been a long day, but a happy and fun day,” Flores said. “ Tiring. Just responding to a lot of good wishes, a lot of congratulatory comments and a lot of my friends, my former players and former coaches. Just everybody enjoying the moment. I think that is one of the joys of doing what I’ve done is enjoy that other people are taking in this whole thing.”
Flores described his election to the Hall of Fame as “pride, dignity, long road of satisfaction and success.” Flores reflected on his big day by thinking about his father, Tomas, mother, Nellie, and brother Bob.
After a year as an assistant in Buffalo and seven in Oakland, he succeeded John Madden as Raiders head coach and led the team to victories in Super Bowls XV and XVIII. He last coached with Seattle in 1994, then waited more than two decades before finally getting the coveted call from Canton.
A pair of heartbreaks during the prior two years were almost too much for Flores to handle. He made the cut as a finalist for the classes of 2019 and 2020 but each time fell short.
A standalone candidate this year in the coaching category, Flores essentially was only competing against himself to earn the required 80% support from the 48-member voting committee that cast its ballots in a virtual meeting last month.
He received that knock on the door at his Indian Wells home from Hall president David Baker on Jan. 31, with his wife, Barbara, by his side.
“The crew coming from the Raiders office were filming the what-ifs in case something happens and all of the sudden there is a knock on the door,” Flores said. “Barbara answers it and it’s David Baker and she called me to the door and as soon as I saw him I knew what had happened. From then on, I was very emotional. “
The Class of 2021 includes quarterback Peyton Manning, cornerback/safety Charles Woodson, wide receiver Calvin Johnson, safety John Lynch, guard Alan Faneca, contributor Bill Nunn, wide receiver Drew Pearson and Flores.
Flores, 83, and others were invited to make the trip to Tampa for the announcement, but amid the coronavirus pandemic and the previous disappointments, he remained home. He flew to Atlanta for the 2019 announcement, hoping to hear a knock at his hotel room door from Baker but instead received a telephone call to say he didn’t make it.
Last season, up against a stacked field, Flores found out on television that Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson were the 2020 coaching inductees when Baker surprised them as the ex-coaches worked as NFL analysts.
Support builds through 2020
Throughout the past year, however, Flores’ momentum seemed unstoppable.
In addition to support from his adopted hometown of Sanger, his candidacy gained backing from Fresno City Hall, Congress, the California Legislature and a national television ad campaign by Coors Light. The beer company’s commercial listed all of Flores’ qualifications and expressed the shock that many felt about the fact he had yet to win induction into the Hall.
A commemorative Coors Light can salutes Flores as “The Iceman” for his coolness under pressure.
Oddsmakers had listed Flores as a Hall of Fame shoo-in at odds of minus-3,000, according to Sports Betting Dime.
Among Flores’ key numbers and accomplishments.
▪ 97 victories as an NFL head coach, including an 83-53 run with the Raiders from 1979 to 1987.
▪ An 8-3 playoff record, ranking second to Vince Lombardi in winning percentage (.727) among those who have coached 10 or more postseason games.
▪ Two Super Bowl championships as a head coach. Oakland was the first wild-card team to win the big game, beating the Philadelphia Eagles after the 1980 season.
▪ A 105-90 overall record, including the playoffs, with the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks.
▪ He was the first Latino coach in the NFL and the first to win a Super Bowl.
▪ Four Super Bowl championships in all, including one as a backup quarterback in Kansas City and another as a Raiders assistant.
Flores becomes the third player from the central San Joaquin Valley to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Others include Les Richter (Fresno High) and Jimmy Johnson (Kingsburg High).
Sanger salutes one of its own
A mural project celebrating Flores as a native son began Friday in Sanger and was completed Saturday by Omar “Super” Huerta.
Its message reads: “A total commitment is paramount to reaching the ultimate in performance. Tom Flores ‘Ice Man.’”
Still, all the way to Saturday, Flores vowed he would remain guarded until he received the official word. And even without being stamped a Hall of Famer, he remained appreciative of all the sport gave him and those who supported him along the way.
“A lot of things happened in my life that I’m proud of,” Flores told The Bee a few weeks earlier. “The rewards are not always monetary and I’m very proud of what I’ve done with my life and with my family. They joined in the journey and took part in it. They experienced the good and the bad. Barb and I like to think we raised three great kids, my grandkids, and we have a multitude of friends from college and friends from the American Football League and from our Raider family.
“It’s been great ... nothing like it. Football is family and it’s forever. Once you’re a Raider, you’re always a Raider.”
Reaction pours in from the Valley
Many in the central San Joaquin Valley were elated Flores finally got in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, a Valley native and former Fresno State star, sent his congratulations.
“I am beyond excited for Mr. Flores,” Carr said. “Long overdue. What a great day for him and his family.”
Sanger High football coach Jorge Pena couldn’t help but feel joy for Flores and his city.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said. “So happy for him. Such a great man above anything else and so deserving. I’m also overjoyed for our community and so much to be proud of.”
Former longtime Sanger coach Chuck Shidan said, “Very happy for Coach Flores and his family. Very happy for Raider Nation. I feel this was long overdue and very well deserved.”
Said Sanger athletic director Brian Penner: “This is a wonderful day for coach Tom Flores, Sanger and the Central Valley. The Pro Football Hall of Fame honors the best of the best and Coach now takes his rightful place in that class.
“Coach Flores’ story is so inspiring and I am excited that he will be permanently recognized for his accomplishments. Coach is the epitome of excellence, class, humility and grace. His work off the field for underprivileged youth will be on display for the country to see, as well. This is a tremendous day for us all.”
Fresno City College football coach Tony Caviglia said: “We would like to congratulate the great Fresno City College Ram football player Tom Flores on his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. He is a symbol of success for our Fresno City College community, not only as a legendary player but as a proud Mexican-American who has attained the highest honor the game of football can bestow.”
Fresno-area congressman Jim Costa sent out a statement after the news was made official.
“This long overdue recognition is welcome news,” Costa said. “Through his illustrious athletic career and commitment to his community, Tom Flores has truly been a beacon not only for Latinos, but all fans of the National Football League.
“I’d like to congratulate the coach on this lifetime achievement and thank the Hall of Fame and selection committee for finally elevating this pioneer to his rightful place in football history.”
Long day for Flores
Tons of well wishes kept Flores’ phone busy on Saturday, but even then, none of the well wishers weren’t made aware of his election until it was leaked early.
“I didn’t even tell my kids until I told them yesterday,” Flores said. “As soon as word got out ... it got out a little earlier than it was supposed to be.”
After being so close the past two years, Flores said he always remained positive because he figured at some point he’d get in.
That day came Saturday.
“It doesn’t do any good to be negative,” he said. “Just think positive and go on with life, and that’s the way I am and that is the way I roll and the way I’m built. It worked out and it was just a nice way to feel.”
This story was originally published February 6, 2021 at 5:51 PM.
