Anybody professing cynicism about Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL for alleged racial discrimination would be wise to rest their case.
They’ve already been proven wrong.
In a recent interview on Brandon Marshall’s “I Am Athlete” podcast, Flores reveals he didn’t sign a separation agreement with the Dolphins when they fired him in January. That means won’t receive the roughly $6 million left on his contract.
He chose the freedom to speak his mind over the allure of money.
“I did not sign my separation agreement,” Flores said. “That’s part of the sacrifice. That’s part of the risk to get this out into the open. This is important. This is a lot more important than money.”
Flores says he was forced to participate in sham head coaching interviews with two clubs, the Giants and Broncos, so they could satisfy the league’s Rooney Rule. After the Texans hired Lovie Smith for their head coaching vacancy, Flores added them to his suit.
He also alleges Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 per loss in 2019, his first year on the job.
ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio reports there’s a “belief around the NFL” that Ross did offer Flores cash to tank games. The revelation would likely force Ross to sell the team.
Whenever somebody from a repressed group highlights mistreatment from a major organization, there’s always contemptuous speculation about their true motives. But Flores leaves no doubt. On CBS “This Morning,” he said he recognizes his lawsuit may prohibit him being hired again as a head coach.
On “I Am Athlete,” he said money has never been his primary motivator. “I grew up in the projects in Brooklyn, in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn. When I made $20,000 as a scout in New England, I thought I was rich. I made $20,000 — $663 every two weeks. I literally thought I was making it,” Flores added. “My first real job. I really thought I was making it. I slept on an air mattress. I was good. So that’s part of this for me. Like money is not — no I’m not signing a separation agreement, because this is bigger than that.”
Flores also said he doesn’t blame Bill Belichick for his texting mishap, which confirmed his suspicions, and sparked his lawsuit.
Flores wants to be a head coach again, despite his complaint. It’s what he loves to do. The Steelers recently hired him as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach, indicating Flores isn’t too proud to claw his way back. He’s carried himself with class and aplomb every step of the way.
It should be reciprocated.