Steelers Senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores is reacting after the NFL handed down punishment on the Miami Dolphins after they found evidence of tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton, as well as tanking allegations that were made by Flores.
A report states that Flores was correct when he accused Dolphins owner Stephen Ross of a wiliness to tank in 2019 for better draft positioning in 2020.
“On a number of occasions during the 2019 season, Mr. Ross expressed his belief that the Dolphins' position in the upcoming 2020 draft should take priority over the team's win-loss record,” the report said.
Flores took that to believe Ross wanted the Dolphins to tank, something he didn’t do, with the report saying, “The Dolphins competed hard to win every game, including at the end of the season when they beat Cincinnati and New England, despite worsening Miami’s position in the 2020 draft.”
The report also addresses the claim of Ross offering Flores $100,000 to tank games.
“There are differing recollections about the wording, timing, and context,” the report states. “However phrased, such a comment was not intended or taken to be a serious offer, nor was the subject pursued in any respect by Mr. Ross or anyone else at the club.”
Flores released a statement on Tuesday expressing thanks and disappointment in the investigation’s findings.
Flores’ attorney also released a statement.
More on the Dolphins' punishment:
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For their tanking and tampering, the Dolphins have to forfeit their first-round selection in the 2023 draft and a third-round pick in the 2024 draft.
Also Ross, is suspended by the league through October 17. He also cannot attend any NFL meeting before the Annual Meeting next year and “removed from all League committees indefinitely, and fined $1.5 million.”
Flores has filed a lawsuit against the NFL alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices.