Brian Flores filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL in which he alleges racial discrimination in employment; Jeff Reinebold of Sky Sports NFL: “The system is broken…the NFL has put forward programs trying to help recruit minorities and they just don’t work”
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said he felt “humiliated, disbelieved and angry” after filing a class action lawsuit against the NFL in which he alleges racial discrimination in hiring.
Flores’ lawsuit has evidence of an erroneous text message allegedly sent by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick congratulating him on getting a job with the New York Giants. However, Flores subsequently asked Belichick if he was referring to him or former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian DaBall, whereupon Belichick realized his mistake and informed Flores that the Giants were hiring DaBall.
“Sorry, I screwed up,” the text says. “I think they are calling Dabolla’s name. I’m sorry about that”. The text is believed to have been sent on January 24, three days before Flores was scheduled to interview the Giants.
“It was a range of emotions: humiliation, distrust, anger,” Flores said.
“I worked so hard to achieve what I achieved in football to become a head coach for 18 years in the league. It hurt me to go for what was supposed to be, or what I felt, or what was a bogus interview. .”
Flores decided to continue with the interview process and added, “I think there is still hope. Let’s call it the audacity of hope. I believe there is something good in people.”
The Giants released a response stating that Flores had applied for the position before “the eleventh hour” and that they were “happy and confident with the process that led to the hiring of Brian Daball”.
The NFL’s “Rooney Rule” requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coach and senior football operator positions, with at least two of those interviews being conducted with external candidates from outside the hiring organization.
“The Rooney Rule is meant to give minorities the opportunity to sit in front of the owners, but I think that has turned into a case of guys just ticking,” Flores said.