Former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is suing the NFL and all 32 teams, alleging racial discrimination after he claims to have interviewed for the Giants head coaching position days after New York had already set on Brian Daboll as its new head coach.
The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning, Flores was on the CBS Mornings show to discuss the lawsuit, and he discussed his feelings heading into his interview with the Giants despite knowing that he wouldn’t be selected for the position.
“It was a range of emotions,” Flores said. “Humiliation, disbelief, anger. I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am in football to become a head coach. Put 18 years into this league, to go on what was going on, or what felt like a sham interview, I was hurt.”
According to Flores and the lawsuit, Flores found out that Daboll would be hired by the Giants due to Bill Belichick accidentally sending Flores a congratulatory text, when it was meant for Daboll.
So, why did Flores still attend the interview despite knowing what he knew thanks to Belichick’s mistaken text message?
“I think there’s still hope. Call it the audacity of hope,” Flores said. “I have a belief that there’s good in people. I just do.”
Flores was joined by his attorney on Wednesday morning, who echoed the lawsuit in declaring that New York’s interview with Flores was simply to satisfy the “Rooney Rule,” which requires teams to interview minority candidates for coaching and front office positions during their hiring process. But Flores believes that well-intended rule has been stripped of its initial purpose.
“The Rooney Rule was intended to give minorities an opportunity to sit down with ownership,” Flores said. “What it’s turned into, it’s just guys checking a box.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch