In a federal class-action racial discrimination lawsuit filed Tuesday [February 1] against the NFL and several teams, former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores alleged numerous claims against Miami owner Stephen Ross. Now, Ross is fighting back against those claims made in the lawsuit.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross releases statement countering Brian Flores’ accusations
In a statement provided to Pro Football Network, Ross said, “With regards to the allegations being made by Brian Flores, I am a man of honor and integrity and cannot let them stand without responding. I take great personal exception to these malicious attacks, and the truth must be known.
“His allegations are false, malicious, and defamatory. We understand there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his claims, and we will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation, and I am eager to defend my personal integrity, and the integrity and values of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from these baseless, unfair, and disparaging claims.”
Miami Dolphins vehemently deny allegations of racial discrimination
Although Dolphins general manager Chris Grier was in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl, this week, he was not made available to reporters on Tuesday. However, the Dolphins released the following statement:
“We are aware of the lawsuit through the media reports that came out this afternoon. We vehemently deny any allegations of racial discrimination and are proud of the diversity and inclusion throughout our organization. The implication that we acted in any manner inconsistent with the integrity of the game is incorrect. We will be withholding further comment on the lawsuit at this time.”
Claims levied against Stephen Ross in the lawsuit
Flores’ allegations against the Dolphins included many specific details. Here are several of them from the lawsuit, which Ross is fighting back against.
Was Flores offered $100,000 for every loss in 2019?
The lawsuit claims that Ross offered Flores $100,000 for every loss in 2019, the first year that Flores was the head coach of the Dolphins. The Complaint alleges that “the writing had been on the wall since Mr. Flores’ first season as Head Coach of the Dolphins when he refused his owner’s directive to ‘tank’ for the first pick in the draft.”
Appearing on numerous media outlets on February 2, Flores’ lawyers said they have corroborating evidence, including messages from Grier that would prove Flores was, in fact, offered the money. Flores himself said that it was suggested he go on vacation — whether that meant actually taking a vacation during the season or going on a vacation for losing remains unclear.
Still, the question remains — was the integrity of the game sacrificed in the name of trying to secure the No. 1 draft pick? According to the lawsuit, Grier told Flores that “Steve was mad that Mr. Flores’ success in winning games that year was ‘compromising [the team’s] draft position.'”
Did Ross pressure Flores to recruit a prominent quarterback, which is rumored to be Tom Brady?
At the conclusion of the 2019 campaign, Ross allegedly insisted that Flores recruit a “prominent quarterback.” This would have violated the NFL’s tampering rules, which Flores refused multiple times. Ross later invited Flores for lunch on a yacht in the winter of 2020. Ross explained to Flores that the “prominent quarterback” would also be arriving in the area shortly.
Although we don’t know for certain, it’s rumored that this prominent quarterback was Tom Brady. PFN’s Tony Pauline reported in January 2020 that there was mutual interest between the Dolphins and Brady, and there were rumors in South Florida that had it not been for Flores being the head coach, Brady would have strongly considered the Dolphins.
Consistent in his approach, Flores refused to meet with the QB and quickly disembarked from the yacht. According to the lawsuit, after the “impromptu meeting,” Flores believed he was treated with “disdain,” and reports began to come out that he was “difficult to work with.”
The lawsuit states that Flores was defamed throughout the media and NFL after his firing
The lawsuit states that since Flores did not properly follow orders from Ross, he was ostracized and ultimately fired after the 2021 NFL season. Additionally, it further says that he was defamed throughout the media and the NFL and was labeled by Dolphins management as someone who was difficult to work with.
The lawsuit states, “This is reflective of an all too familiar ‘angry black man’ stigma that is often casted upon Black men who are strong in their morals and convictions while white men are coined as passionate for those very same attributes.”