“Our process was thorough and fair to determine the most qualified candidate for our head coaching position,” the team’s statement continued. The Denver Broncos strongly challenged Flores’ lawsuit, saying, “The allegations from Brian Flores directed toward the Denver Broncos in today’s court filing are blatantly false.” (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) Dustin Bradford/Getty ImagesĢ020: 'I don't see racism at all in the NFL,' Denver Broncos head coach says We will be withholding further comment on the lawsuit at this time.”ĭENVER, CO - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Vic Fangio of the Denver Broncos works along the sideline during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High on Decemin Denver, Colorado. The implication that we acted in a manner inconsistent with the integrity of the game is incorrect. We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization. The Dolphins also responded, saying, “We are aware of the lawsuit through the media reports that came out this afternoon. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach.” The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the eleventh hour. “We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. “We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll,” the team’s statement read. The Giants organization issued a statement standing by its process and decision to hire Daboll. We will defend against these claims, which are without merit.” “Diversity is core to everything we do, and there are few issues on which our clubs and our internal leadership team spend more time. “The NFL and our clubs are deeply committed to ensuring equitable employment practices and continue to make progress in providing equitable opportunities throughout our organizations,” the league said in its statement. The NFL responded to Flores’ lawsuit, calling Flores’ allegations meritless. “My sincere hope is that by standing up against systemic racism in the NFL, others will join me to ensure that positive change is made for generations to come.” “In making the decision to file the class action complaint today, I understand that I may be risking coaching the game that I love and that has done so much for my family and me,” Flores continued. “God has gifted me with a special talent to coach the game of football, but the need for change is bigger than my personal goals,” Flores wrote in a statement. The NFL is down to a single Black head coach after it pledged to do better with diversity (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) John Rivera/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 09: Houston Texans head coach David Culley wathces action during an NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans on Januat NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. Flores says when he refused, Ross then led a campaign to treat Flores with “disdain and held out as someone who was noncompliant and difficult to work with.” Flores says that “Broncos’ then-General Manager John Elway, President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Ellis and others showed up an hour late to the interview” and adds that the Broncos’ delegation “looked completely disheveled, and it was obvious that they had drinking heavily the night before.”įlores also says Dolphins’ owner Stephen Ross offered to pay Flores to purposely lose games in order to secure a higher pick in the NFL draft and encouraged Flores to purposely violate league tampering rules. There are two other non-Black minority coaches – one of Puerto Rican and Mexican descent and one of Lebanese descent.įlores’ lawsuit claims that in 2019, he was subjected to another “sham interview,” this one with the Denver Broncos. The rule requires every team to interview at least two external minority candidates for open head coaching positions, according to the NFL’s Football Operations website.Ĭurrently only one out of 27 head coaches employed in the NFL is Black, with five teams without a head coach in a league where roughly 70% of the players are Black. The NFL instituted the Rooney Rule in 2003 in an effort to increase diversity among the NFL’s head coaching, general manager and executive ranks. What is the Rooney Rule? NFL's diversity push hasn't brought needed change, ex-coach says in lawsuitįlores alleges in his lawsuit that his interview with the Giants was a ruse so the team could “demonstrate falsely to League Commissioner Roger Goodell and the public at large that it was in compliance with the Rooney Rule.” Dan Rooney, the late owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, is pictured here before a game at the Three Rivers Stadium on September 28, 1997, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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