Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL just took a surprising turn when the Pittsburgh Steelers announced Saturday that the former Miami Dolphins head coach would be joining their staff. In the 2022 season, Flores will begin working with the Steelers as a senior defensive assistant and defender team coach.
“I’m excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff because of his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. one Press Release. “Brian’s resume speaks for itself and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.”
However, Flores’ history in the NFL became the basis for a high-profile lawsuit filed earlier this month against the League, New York Giants, Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos. The lawsuit alleges that in both hiring and firing tactics, the organization discriminated against Black coaches.
Flores, 40, filed the lawsuit after being fired from the Dolphins in January after just three seasons and after a serious slip by Bill Belichickhead coach of the New England Patriots, as Flores was preparing for an interview for a head coach position at the Giants that same month.
The lawsuit also includes screen-messages Belichick sent to Flores, alleging he texted Brian Daboll.
“Looks like you’ve landed — congrats!” Belichick wrote on Jan. 24.
“Did you hear something that I didn’t?” Flores replied.
“Giant?!?!?!” Belichick replied.
“I’m interviewing on Thursday,” Flores texted. “I think I had a hit on it.”
But when Flores asked, “Coach, are you talking to Brian Flores or Brian Daboll,” Belichick realized his mistake.
“Sorry – I accepted this,” Belichick replied. “I double checked and I misread the text. I think they’re naming Daboll. I’m sorry about that. BB. ”
In his complaint, Flores claims that he is usually only called to interview for head coach positions so that the NFL can meet the standards set forth by the Rooney Rule, an organizational policy that aims to maximize diversity. diversify recruitment methods.
Flores alleges in his complaint that behavioral patterns show that the NFL is “rife with racism, particularly when it comes to hiring and retaining Black Coaches, Coordinators and General Managers.” “.
Flores will now rejoin the NFL payroll as he continues his case. In his new role with the Steelers, who finished the 2021 season with a 9-7 record, Flores will join the only team in the league to use a black head coach, Mike Tomlin.
