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With text messages from Bill Belichick as evidence, ex-Dolphins HC Brian Flores suing NFL, multiple teams
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Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores is suing the NFL and multiple teams for alleged “racism in hiring,” and is including text messages with New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick as evidence.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Flores has filed a lawsuit against the NFL, the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos for “racism in hiring” practices. The lawsuit was filed in Manhattan Federal Court seeking “unspecified damages from the NFL.”
Former Miami HC Brian Flores is suing the NFL, the Giants, the Dolphins and the Broncos for alleged “racism in hiring”, and he includes texts from Patriots’ HC Bill Belichick in the suit as evidence. Lawsuit filed in Manhattan Federal Court seeking unspecified damages from NFL.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 1, 2022
Flores also contends that his interview with the Giants was only to demonstrate falsely to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule, which stipulates that franchises must interview minority candidates.
A text message exchange with Belichick appears to indicate the Giants had made their decision before interviewing Flores, breaking the Rooney Rule.
This text exchange between Belichick and Flores is brutal to read https://t.co/NGpGBVW8H8 pic.twitter.com/FgX8IjEygE
— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) February 1, 2022
Additionally, Flores claims that he was offered $100,000 per loss by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross in 2019 so that the franchise could improve its draft position.
Ross was upset when the team continued to win.
Flores says that Stephen Ross, the owner of the Miami Dolphins, offered to pay him $100,000 for every loss during 2019 season to help the team get a better draft spot. Was mad when they kept winning.
— Alex Weprin (@alexweprin) February 1, 2022
Additionally, Flores claims that John Elway and Denver Broncos owner Joe Ellis showed up an hour late when he interviewed with the franchise in 2019. He alleges it was “obvious” they had been drinking heavily the night before.
Flores was the head coach in Miami from 2019-21. His termination was surprising after leading the Dolphins to a 10-win season in 2020 and a 9-8 record in 2021.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB