Brian Flores lawsuit: Dolphin owner Stephen Ross says claims are ‘false, malicious and defamatory’

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross on Wednesday delivered a powerful response to former Miami coach Brian Flores’ racism lawsuit against the team, two other clubs and the NFL, as well as Flores’ accusations that Ross wanted to encourage failure three years ago.

In the lawsuit, filed in federal court Tuesday, Flores said that Ross offered him a $100,000-per-game bonus for each Dolphins loss during the 2019 season, Flores’ first was as a coach. team leader.

Ross denied the allegations in his statement, which he released for ESPN and other media on Wednesday night.

“Regarding Brian Flores’ allegations, I am a man of honor and integrity and cannot let them stand unresponsive. I take personal words for these malicious attacks very seriously. and the truth must be known. His allegations are untrue, malicious and defamatory. We understand that there are media reports stating that the NFL intends to investigate his and our claims. will cooperate fully. I welcome that investigation and I look forward to protecting my personal integrity as well as the integrity and value of the entire Miami Dolphins organization, from baseless claims, unfair and disparaging.”

Ross did not provide specific information to support his denial.

Hours before Ross’ statement, the Dolphins said in a separate release that they “vehemently deny all allegations of racism and pride themselves on diversity and inclusion throughout our organization.”

“The implication that we acted in a manner inconsistent with the integrity of the game is incorrect,” the team added.

THAN: Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL, explained

The federation announced Wednesday that it will investigate Flores’ allegations. On Tuesday, it responded to the lawsuit by saying it was “not valid.”

Flores said he refused to follow Ross’s plan to hit the tank, which got him fired.

“I think it hurt my position in the organization, and in the end, that’s why I was let go,” he told “CBS Mornings” Wednesday.

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network fourth report that a “witness” told him he had heard Ross offer Flores the bounty. Wolfe also reported that Flores’ representatives said that the former coach had messages from Dolphins general manager Chris Grier that would corroborate his claims.

THAN: Flores told CBS he was fired for refusing to raise

Miami started the 2019 season 0-7 amid roster changes but won 5-4 in the last nine to end 5-11. The team picked fifth overall in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft and beat Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa over Justin Herbert of Oregon.

The Dolphins won 10-6 in Flores’ sophomore year, only missing out on the AFC playoffs. They started 1-7 this season, losing seven in a row after their Week 1 win, before regrouping to finish 9-8, winning seven in a row at one point. But they missed the playoffs again, and Ross fired Flores on January 10, the day after the Week 18 game in Miami.

After Flores was fired, he interviewed the Giants, Texans and Bears about their vacant head coach positions. Three days before his interview with the Giants, he received a text from Patriots coach and former boss Bill Belichick, who appeared to tell Flores that “Looks like you’ve landed” the job in New York . Later in the conversation, Flores asked Belichick if he was going to text another former Pats assistant, Brian Daboll, who was also interviewing for a job. Belichick realizes he texted Brian by mistake and apologizes to Flores. The Giants hired Daboll on Friday.

THAN: Read the text messages that sparked Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL

Flores filed her class-action lawsuit in the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, claiming that the union has long been racist in its recruiting practices. He named the NFL, Dolphins, the Giants and the Broncos as defendants.

The Giants said in a statement Tuesday that Flores is a candidate “until the eleventh hour” and that it has hired “the individual we feel is most qualified to serve as the next head coach.” follow us.”

Denver interviewed Flores in 2019 before Miami hired him. Flores claimed Broncos president & CEO Joe Ellis and general manager John Elway “looked completely lost and clearly had a lot to drink the night before” during the meeting. He also said the interview was a “spoof”, with which the Broncos spoke to him implementing the league’s Rooney Rule, which is said to encourage minority recruitment in coaching.

The Broncos called Flores’ claims against Ellis and Elway “flagrantly false.” Flores is standing by his claims.