On Tuesday, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL, the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants. Flores alleges discrimination involving his interviews with the Broncos and Giants, as well as his firing from the Dolphins.
Flores also claims Dolphins owner Stephen Ross allegedly bribed him with $100,000 for each loss added for every loss that season. After Miami won games late that season, it created the rift between Ross and Flores.
This story appears to blowing open the issue of race and discrimination within the National Football League. It has left players, past and present, sharing their thoughts.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay made a good point about the actual day Flores filed the claim. Meanwhile, former Indianapolis Colts safety Darius Butler could only say one word.
Black history month starting off right!!
ā Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) February 1, 2022
ā Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) February 1, 2022
The Washington Football Team's former standout quarterback Robert Griffin III shared a sad but true point.
Brian Flores effectively had to end his chances at coaching in the NFL to point out what we already know about discrimination in the hiring process for Head Coaches in the NFL.
ā Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) February 1, 2022
New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas had a much more optimistic take.
Brian Flores about to change the game š¬
ā Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) February 1, 2022
Even prominent sports reporters and analysts are chiming in. ESPN's Field Yates is left feeling the same way RGIII appeared to feel regarding Flores' lawsuit.
This quote from Brian Flores is powerful.
He knows he's risking his coaching future with this lawsuit.
This is about much more than just his own coaching future. pic.twitter.com/A3xOsKmZ9m
ā Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 1, 2022
For decades, the NFL was comprised of a majority of African American players, and yet there were very few to no head coaches. In 2003, āThe Rooney Ruleā was instituted. That rule requires team's with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one external minority candidate. In 2020, that was updated to two minorities for head coaches and one for coordinator positions.
Today, Mike Tomlin is the only employed Black head coach. Flores revealed text messages with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that appear to show the New York Giants had already decided who they were hiring (Brian Daboll) before they even brought Flores in.
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