Seven Legends To be Inducted Into The Hispanic Football Hall Of Fame
LAS VEGAS, NV – February 17, 2026 – The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame proudly announced today the selection of seven iconic figures as the inaugural inductees into its Class of 2026. The historic class will be honored during the Celebración de Fútbol on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 2026, at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters in Henderson, Nevada.
The distinguished Class of 2026 is comprised of Tom Fears, Tom Flores, Ted Hendricks, Anthony Muñoz, Jim Plunkett, Ron Rivera, and Steve Van Buren.
These legendary players and coaches have made lasting contributions to the game of football while serving as trailblazers and role models within the Hispanic community. Their excellence on and off the field has helped shape the sport’s history and inspire future generations.
“The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame was created to recognize and celebrate the profound impact Hispanic athletes and leaders have had on the game of football,” said Sandy Nunez, Selection Committee Chairperson. “This inaugural class reflects excellence, lasting legacy, and a future where the next generation can see themselves at the highest levels of the sport.”
The inductees were selected by the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, which includes: Sandy Nunez (Chairperson, Founding Board Member & Award-Winning Executive Producer), Judy Battista (NFL Senior National Columnist), Rolando Cantú (NFL Analyst, TNF En Español), Paul Gutierrez (Columnist for Raiders.com), Brandon Huffman (National Recruiting Editor, 247Sports), Moises Linares (Emmy Award-Winning Bilingual Sports Journalist), Alex Marvez (NFL Reporter, Pro Football Hall of Fame voter), Armando Salguero (OutKick Senior NFL Writer), and John Sutcliffe (ESPN Deportes Reporter).
In addition to honoring the Class of 2026, the event will recognize the Pro Player of the Year Nik Bonitto, College Player of the Year Fernando Mendoza, High School Player of the Year Ryan Estrada, and other distinguished honorees.
The inaugural Celebración de Fútbol will bring together football greats, media, community leaders, and fans for an unforgettable evening celebrating Hispanic excellence.
Inductees
Tom FearsWide Receiver
Mexican ancestry
Position: Wide Receiver
NFL team: Los Angeles Rams (1948-56)
College: Santa Clara University, UCLA
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1970)
- First Mexican‑born player inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- First-team selection on the NFL’s 1950 All-Decade team
- Caught the game-winning 73-yard touchdown pass in the Rams’ 1951 NFL Championship win over Cleveland
- Led the NFL in Receiving Yards (1949), Receptions (1950, 1951)
- Set NFL records for single-season catches in 1949 (77) and 1950 (84)
Steve Van BurenRunning Back
Honduran ancestry
Position: Running Back
NFL team: Philadelphia Eagles (1944-51)
College: Louisiana State University
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 1965)
- 2× NFL Champion – Philadelphia Eagles (1948, 1949)
- 5× First-Team All-Pro
- 4× NFL Rushing Leader
- Member of the NFL’s 75th and 100th anniversary teams as well as the 1940’s All-Decade team
- Retired as the NFL’s all-time leader for career rushing yards and touchdowns at the time; first player with two 1,000-yard seasons; still holds Philadelphia’s record for rushing touchdowns (69)
About the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame
The Hispanic Football Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2025, was established to celebrate and honor the achievements of Hispanic players, coaches, and contributors in the sport of football. Its mission is to preserve history, showcase excellence, and inspire future generations by highlighting the cultural and athletic contributions of Hispanics to the game.
For more information, visit www.HispanicFootball.org. Follow the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame on Instagram (@HispanicFBHOF), X (@HispanicFB), and Facebook.
