The Washington Football Team finally announced its new name on Wednesday morning, officially becoming the Commanders, but it wasn’t the biggest NFL news of the day.
That still belonged to former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who filed a lawsuit against the NFL and all 32 teams on Tuesday, alleging racial discrimination during his head coaching candidacy, and illegal behavior from Dolphins ownership, such as offering money for each loss in an effort to secure the No. 1 overall pick.
So, while head coach Ron Rivera appeared on CBS Mornings to help reveal his team’s new name, he also was asked about Flores’ lawsuit.
“I think there is something to be looked at there, I really do,” Rivera said. "I think what Brian is doing is really a brave thing, because in this world, in what we do, we've got to be willing to open up our eyes and really decide on merit. You look at a guy like Brian and what he's accomplished and what he's done, there's a lot of merit there, and those are the types of things people should be judged on.”
Flores himself has acknowledged that his lawsuit against the NFL can mean the end of his head coaching days, but Rivera supports Flores’ decision to try and bring about a change.
“I can see the frustration, and it's almost as if this is your last resort, because how does a guy like that get left out of the hiring cycle?” Rivera said. “I think that Brian is a guy that's frustrated because if you look at his resume and you put it down on the table, you go, 'Wow, this guy has accomplished a lot.' He started from the bottom and worked his way up. Then you look at each phase he did more and more to the point where he was a play-caller on defense.”
Flores was considered a candidate to take the job as the Giants head coach, potentially setting himself up to be Rivera’s divisional rival, but Flores claims he received an accidental text from Bill Belichick congratulating him about getting the job in New York, days before Flores was scheduled to interview. Belichick then responded with an apology, clarifying that the text was meant for Bills offensive coordinator Bill Daboll, who did wind up getting the job.
Rivera believes something is wrong if candidates like Flores can’t find a head coaching job.
"When you look at guys like that you think, 'Man, these guys deserve opportunities or chances,' and to me, that's what the Rooney Rule stood for,” Rivera said. “It was a chance to get your foot in and then let the merit speak for itself. I think that's the issue here.”