Flores reveals texts from Belichick in lawsuit against NFL, Giants
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams over alleged racial discrimination in hiring practices on Tuesday.
One of the teams Flores sued was the New York Giants, who he believes only interviewed him to comply with the Rooney Rule.
Flores met with the Giants on Jan. 27, three days after New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick mistakenly sent him a congratulatory text for getting the head coaching job. However, Belichick apparently meant to text former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who was announced as New York's coach on Jan. 28.
"Sorry - I fucked this up. I double-checked and misread the text. I think they are naming Brian Daboll. I'm sorry about that. BB," the alleged text read.
Former #Dolphins HC Brian Flores is suing the NFL and the Giants alleging racism in their hiring process. Flores has texts from Bill Belichick congratulating him for getting the job - but Flores had yet to interview. The text was meant for Brian Daboll. https://t.co/gmPUw9gHIq pic.twitter.com/tyTztTf3br
- Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 1, 2022
Flores reflected on the chain of events in an appearance on "CBS Mornings" on Wednesday.
"It was a range of emotions," Flores said. "Humiliation, disbelief, anger. I've worked so hard to get to where I am in football to become a head coach."
He added: "To go on what was going to be ... what felt like or what was a sham interview, I was hurt."
The Giants addressed the allegations in a statement.
"We are pleased and confident with the process that resulted in the hiring of Brian Daboll," the statement read, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "We interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is, Brian Flores was in the conversation to be our head coach until the 11th hour. Ultimately, we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach."
Flores was part of Belichick's coaching staff in New England from 2008-18 before becoming the head coach of the Dolphins in 2019. Miami fired Flores three seasons into his five-year contract on Jan. 10.
The Rooney Rule states that teams must interview at least two minority candidates for a head coaching vacancy and one minority candidate for coordinator positions as well as high-ranking positions in the front office.
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