Tom Flores

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Thomas R. Flores
Born
March 21, 1937 Fresno, California, USA

Thomas R. "Tom" Flores (born March 21, 1937 in Fresno, California) is a retired American football quarterback and coach. He is currently a radio announcer.

Biography

Tom Flores graduated from the University of the Pacific in 1958, but was unable to find a job in professional football. He was cut by the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL in 1958, and then by the Washington Redskins of the NFL in 1959. In 1960 Flores finally landed a position as a quarterback with the Oakland Raiders, who began play in 1960 as a charter member of the American Football League. Flores became the first Hispanic quarterback in professional football. He became the Raiders' starting quarterback early in the 1960 season.

Flores had his most productive season in 1966. Although he completed only 49.3 percent of his attempts, he passed for 2,638 yards and 24 touchdowns in 14 games. Oakland traded him to the Buffalo Bills in 1967. After serving primarily as a backup, he was released by the Bills and signed with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1969 season. He retired as a player after the 1970 season. He was one of only twenty players who were with the AFL for its entire ten-year existence. He is the fifth-leading passer, all-time, in the AFL.

After stints as an assistant coach in Buffalo and Oakland, Flores became the Raiders' head coach in 1979, following John Madden's retirement. Under Flores, the Raiders won Super Bowl XV and Super Bowl XVIII. After a 5-10 finish to the 1987 season, Flores moved to the Raiders' front office, but left after just one year to become the president and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks. He returned to coaching as the Seahawks head coach in 1992, but returned to the front office following three disappointing seasons. Flores hired Dennis Erickson to replace him as head prior to the 1995 season. Flores resigned from the Seahawks in 1997 following Paul Allen's purchase of the Seahawks.

Flores left the NFL with a lifetime coaching record of 97-87, as well as an 8-3 playoff record. He can be heard on KSFO (560 AM) during their radio broadcasts of Raiders games.

See also

• Other American Football League players

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Sources

• Tom Flores biography link