Less than three hours after former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores’ lawsuit became public, the NFL issued a statement vowing to defend against claims it says “are without merit.”
On Tuesday, Flores sued the league and its teams, contending the NFL fosters hiring processes that racially discriminate. Flores, who is Black, was fired by the Dolphins last month.
In the blockbuster lawsuit, Flores said he was offered $100,000 per loss in 2019 by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, who wanted to “tank” to improve draft position and build a contender, and that his refusal to go along with the plan resulted in him being fired at the end of the 2021 season with a 24-25 career record.
Ross categorically denied the allegations Wednesday night.
“I am a man of honor and integrity and cannot let (Flores’ charges) stand without responding,” Ross said. “I take great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known. His allegations are false, malicious and defamatory.
“We understand there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his claims, and we will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation and I am eager to defend my personal integrity, and the integrity and values of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from these baseless, unfair and disparaging claims.”
Also Wednesday night, NFL Network reported that a witness said he heard Ross offer Flores $100,000 for each loss in 2019.
In his suit, Flores also asserted that he received a congratulatory text message from Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that plainly shows his interview with the New York Giants was “a sham.”
That’s because Belichick revealed he meant the text for another Brian — Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who was hired by the Giants — and not Flores, also a former Belichick assistant. The text from Belichick hit Flores’ phone three days before Flores would interview with the Giants.
“It was a range of emotions. Humiliation, disbelief, anger,” Flores said Wednesday on “CBS Mornings.”
“I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am in football, to become a head coach. To go on what felt like a sham interview, I was hurt.”
Washington Commanders coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that he believes there is “something to look at there” when asked for his thoughts on the lawsuit.
“I really do,” Rivera said, adding that if Flores was measured on merit, he would likely be coaching.
“I think what Brian is doing is really brave. … I think if we really take a step back and look at it, we would honestly say there are some things we’ve got to look even deeper into and we’ve got to make sure we make the right type of changes so that things are inclusive,” Rivera said.
Flores said he grasps the notion that the suit against the NFL could prevent teams from hiring him.
“If change comes, and I never coach again, it’ll be worth it,” he said later Wednesday morning in an ESPN interview.
The 58-page complaint does not identify or name an additional 40 individuals prepared to join the class-action suit.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance issued a statement on Wednesday supporting Flores.
“Brian Flores’ lawsuit is just the latest, dramatic call to action for the NFL and its team owners. Men and women of color in the NFL community have long known that the odds of advancing in the coaching ranks and in front office are stacked against them. The Fritz Pollard Alliance supports Coach Flores and others in their effort to level the playing field for men and women of color.”
The Giants said in a statement Tuesday that Flores was in the running to be head coach right up until the decision was made to hire Daboll.
“We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll. We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach,” the statement read.
Seated with his attorneys in the live interview Wednesday, Flores said he wants to continue coaching but felt compelled to pursue action because his story is “not the only one” when it comes to black coaches being interviewed to satisfy the Rooney Rule. The NFL adopted the Rooney Rule to assure minority candidates were being interviewed for top NFL vacancies. In 2020, the NFL made adjustments to the rule adding requirements for interviewing minority offensive and defensive coordinators and general managers.
“This game’s done a lot for me. I didn’t grow up with a lot,” said Flores, who turns 41 this month. “To attack the integrity of the game, that’s what I felt was happening in that instance.”
In 2019, Flores said Ross made it clear losses would be very valuable to him and put a dollar figure on accepting defeat.
“That was a conversation about not doing as much as we needed to do to win football games,” Flores said Wednesday. “‘Take a flight. Go on vacation. I’ll give you $100,000 per loss.’ Those were his exact words.”
Attorneys for Flores told CNN they will present corroborating evidence of multiple claims made in the suit.
Flores’ suit asserts violation of civil rights statues or discrimination in regards to hiring and firing practices for coaches and executives.
“In certain critical ways, the NFL is racially segregated and is managed much like a plantation,” Flores says in the suit.
There is currently one Black head coach in the NFL — the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Mike Tomlin. Flores interviewed with the Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints, who haven’t named a head coach during the ongoing cycle.
Flores said Wednesday he informed the Texans and Saints of his intentions to file the suit.
–Field Level Media
