Photos courtesy of Charla Shults
Every Friday evening in the fall you will see a player wearing No. 32. This number holds a special place in Pampa High School football history because it was worn by Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas. As a tribute to Thomas, the Pampa High School football program has retired No. 32 from regular jersey circulation. From this day forward, jersey No. 32 will be worn every Friday night by a different individual. That individual embodies that competitive spirit which Zach Thomas displayed every Friday night in the fall. The individual will be voted on by the coaching staff.
The third player selected by the coaching staff to wear No. 32 during the 2026 season is senior running back, cornerback and team captain Kiaro Flores. He normally wears No. 21, but for the third game against Perryton on Friday, he will be wearing the Zach Thomas No. 32. Like previous No. 32 recipients Cy LeBlanc and Ira Smith, Flores is also a team captain this season.
Flores said being selected to wear the jersey was a tremendous honor.
“I feel very honored to be able to wear this number representing Zach Thomas, a Hall of Famer. It just feels great,” Flores said. “It means a lot. The fact that I am a team captain and all my teammates supported me for this makes me feel very honored.”
He also competes in track and field for the Harvesters but does not plan to pursue college athletics. He wants to attend either WTAMU or UTSA. His hobbies outside of school are weightlifting and playing pool. Flores also has plans for his future after high school.
“I would like to major in business and hopefully become a business owner.”
In the classroom, Flores said science is his favorite subject.
“Science, because it explains how things work,” Flores said.
He also wanted to thank the coaches for the opportunity to don the No. 32.
“I would like to thank the coaches for allowing me to honor this number during the 9/11 memorial,” Flores said.
Pampa running backs and cornerbacks coach Austin Samulowitz praised Flores’ work ethic and dependability.
“Kiaro getting to wear the No. 32 jersey against Perryton this Friday will be special for him. He has been working extremely hard in the weight room and on the football field. He is someone we can count on, and we’re looking forward to him playing every Friday,” Samulowitz said.
