Brian Flores Sues NFL, Teams For Racial Discrimination

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit in federal court Tuesday in an attempt to do what he alleges the National Football League has failed to do: break down racial barriers in the hiring process.

Flores is suing the NFL and each of its franchises for racial discrimination.

The complaint comes after Flores, who is Black, alleges his interview with the New York Giants was a “sham” because he was notified in a text exchange with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick before the meeting that former Buffalo Bills assistant Brian Daboll had already landed the job. He still went through the interview.

Explosive Allegations

Flores, whose lawyers note the lawsuit was filed on the first day of Black History Month, made other allegations:

• Flores described the interview process with the Denver Broncos in 2019 where he claimed then-general manager John Elway and others “showed up an hour late to the interview … and it was obvious that they had been drinking heavily the night before.”
• During his first season in Miami, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross allegedly told Flores that “he would pay him $100,000 for every loss” in an effort to improve the team’s draft position.
• Flores also alleges that Ross tried to circumvent NFL tampering rules by setting up a meeting with “a prominent quarterback.” A source confirmed to Front Office Sports that Tom Brady was that quarterback.

The Dolphins, who won eight of their final nine games in the 2021 season, fired Flores a day after the season ended.

The NFL released a statement in response to Flores’ claims, stating they “are without merit.”