Brian Flores is suing the NFL claiming racial discrimination.
On Tuesday, Flores filed a class action complaint in Manhattan Federal Court against the NFL, and specifically the Giants, Dolphins and Broncos, seeking unspecified damages from the league.
Flores claims the Rooney Rule in the NFL is not working and uses texts from Bill Belichick as evidence.
After being fired by the Dolphins following this past season, Flores was scheduled to interview for the open Giants head-coaching job on Jan. 26 and 27. Prior to to the interview, Belichick texted Flores, when he meant to text Brian Daboll to congratulate him on getting the job. He said he had heard from the Bills and Giants that the job would be going to Daboll. Belichick apologized for the mix up, but this meant Flores was forced to go through the interview knowing he wasn't going to get hired.
(The texts are on page seven of complaint, which is linked to at end of blog.)
The complaint notes this isn't the first time Flores was interviewed to fulfill the Rooney Rule. Back in 2019, Flores met with the Broncos for their head-coaching job, but claims John Elway and other Denver brass showed up an hour late, did not seem engaged at all and it was apparent they were drinking the night before. It was clear to Flores he was never a real candidate for the job.
Flores also details incidents with Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.
Ross wanted Miami to "tank" in 2019, Flores' first season with the Dolphins, and he'd pay him $100,000 for every loss. GM Chris Grier told Flores Ross was mad the team had success that year and did not get the No. 1 draft pick. It also details Ross setting up a meeting with a prominent quarterback that violated the league's tampering rules in the 2020 offseason and Flores excused himself once he figured out what was happening.
"After the incident, Mr. Flores was treated with disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with," it reads.
Of course, Flores eventually was fired following the 2021 season.
The complaint goes on to read: "He was subsequently defamed throughout the media and the League as he was labeled by the Dolphins brass as someone who was difficult to work with. This is reflective of an all too familiar 'angry black man' stigma that is often casted upon Black men who are strong in their morals and convictions while white men are coined as passionate for those very same attributes."
Flores released a statement Tuesday, acknowledging he may be jeopardizing his career in the league.
"God has gifted me with a special talent to coach the game of football, but the need for change is bigger than my personal goals," the statement reads. "In making the decision to file the class action complaint, I understand that I may be risking coaching the game I love. ..."