TOM FLORES

After 20 years of letters to The Monitor I blundered into the realm of “why didn’t I do more research” common to many other opinion givers. Unlike my home state, they don’t. Texas is one of 15 states that require participation in their program. So, I apologize to Ms. Runnels and Ms. Avila for my error. Why don’t more RGV school boards name their schools after Dr. Hector P. Garcia, like the Mercedes ISD did?

The Las Vegas Raiders have introduced a former Nevada gambling regulator as the franchise’s new president, the first Black woman to hold the title with an NFL team.

Colin Kaepernick is getting his first chance to work out for an NFL team since last playing in the league in 2016 when he started kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame ended several long waits and voted linebacker Sam Mills, defensive back LeRoy Butler, offensive lineman Tony Boselli, and defensive linemen Bryant Young and Richard Seymour into the Hall.

Raiders owner Mark Davis called it a “dream come true” when he lured Jon Gruden out of the broadcast booth to come back for a second stint as coach in 2018.

Tom Flores got up during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech and gave a reason as to why he was the second speaker of all the inductees that night.

Peyton’s Place is now in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Alan Faneca overcame bouts with epilepsy to become one of the premier offensive linemen in the NFL.

The group of men entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend features everything.

The Pittsburgh Steelers followed a stumbling first half with a strong final 30 minutes to beat Dallas 16-3 in the first NFL preseason game in two years.

Manning was selected Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)NFL greats elsewhere, Peyton Manning and John Lynch shared a second career in Denver. Close friends Manning and Lynch, who joke about drinking Mai Tai cocktails together at Pro Bowls in Hawaii and then charging them to hotel rooms of other players, are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021. This is the ultimate that one player could ever achieve after their playing days are over.”Like Pearson, Flores and Lynch, Faneca had a lengthy wait. During the pandemic, Baker instead traveled to the houses of the four modern-day players and Flores, and he surprised Manning at the Broncos' stadium.

Charles Woodson beat out Peyton Manning for a prestigious college award. On Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, they likely will share an even more impressive football honor: entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not three years later, Manning threw 55 touchdown passes — that record still stands as the most in a season — and started in the Super Bowl for the Broncos. But he guided the Broncos to a win in Super Bowl 50 — then left the field forever. He finished his career with 65 interceptions and 13 defensive touchdowns, tied for the career record with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper.

More than two decades ago Charles Woodson beat out Peyton Manning for a prestigious college award. On Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, they likely will share an even more impressive football honor: entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)More than two decades ago, Charles Woodson beat out Peyton Manning for a prestigious college award. On Saturday, they likely will share an even more impressive football honor: entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. When everybody is seeing it through the same eyes, it is a great way to play a football game.

An aerial view from the Monster.com blimp shows Raymond James Stadium, the site of Super Bowl XXXV, in Tampa, Florida. DIGITAL IMAGE.Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/AllsportThis year’s Super Bowl in Tampa will mark the fifth time the city has played host to the big event. Super Bowl XVIII (Jan. 22, 1984)Coach Tom Flores of the Los Angeles Raiders is carried off the field after the team defeated Washington in Super Bowl XVIII on Jan. 22, 1984 at Tampa Stadium. It remains the only Super Bowl game decided by one point and was the first of four straight Super Bowl losses by the Bills. AdSuper Bowl XXXV (Jan. 28, 2001)Coach Brian Billick, Jim Nance and Ray Lewis during Super Bowl XXXV, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

(AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)Peyton Manning, no surprise, is among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2021. The star quarterback, owner of a record five NFL Most Valuable Player awards and two Super Bowl titles, was the first finalist revealed by the hall on Tuesday night. In 18 pro seasons and 265 starts out of 266 games played since being the top overall draft choice by Indianapolis in 1998, he had 14 seasons with 4,000-plus yards passing. Joining Manning as a finalist was one of the players he threw to, wide receiver Reggie Wayne, a finalist for the second time. Voting on the entrants to the hall will be conducted later this month, with the inductees announced during Super Bowl week.

FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, Oakland Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson (24) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif. Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Peyton Manning and Charles Woodson are among 14 first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The roster of nominees consists of 65 offensive players, 49 defensive players and 16 special teams players. A maximum of five modern-era players will be chosen when the selection committee meets the Saturday before the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida. Eighteen finalists will be presented to the full 48-member panel: the 15 modern-era finalists, and the recently nominated Drew Pearson (senior); Bill Nunn (contributor); and Tom Flores (coach). Enshrinement at the hall in Canton, Ohio, will take place next August, when members of the 2020 class and a special centennial class also will enter the football shrine.