Two additional coaches join Brian Flores’ lawsuit against NFL for racial discrimination during recruiting
Back in February, former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL and three teams because he alleges that racial discrimination was made during the hiring process, as well as his being fired. layoffs in Miami. Now two more coaches have joined the lawsuit.
Based on ESPN, Steve Wilks, who served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals during the 2018 season, and Ray Horton, a former NFL defensive line coordinator who interviewed for the Titans head coach position joined the lawsuit with Flores. As before Reportedly, the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins were also sued in the original lawsuit. Now, the Houston Texans, Tennesee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, as well as 26 other “John Doe” NFL teams, have been added as part of the revision.
The revised lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York and they are asking for “increased transparency in NFL recruiting, incentives to hire Black coaches, and increased visibility for assistant coaches.” Black trainer,” among other things.
Brian Flores’s attorneys allege the Texans “retaliated” against him, and withdrew consideration for his placement as their head coach “due to his decision to file this action and speak publicly about systemic discrimination in the NFL.”
Steve Wilks talked about joining the lawsuit and said:
“When Coach Flores filed this action, I knew I was in debt to myself, and all Black NFL coaches and aspiring coaches, who stood by him. This lawsuit sheds light on an issue we all know exists, but that too few people are willing to confront. Black coaches and candidates must be equally likely to be hired and continue to be employed as white coaches and candidates. That’s not true right now, and I look forward to working with Coach Flores and Coach Horton to ensure that racial equality in the NFL comes true.. ”
Lawyers for Ray Horton, who served as defensive coordinator for the Titans in 2014-2015, said his interview for the team’s head coach position was a “completely contrived” interview. made only to comply with the Rooney Rule and to present an equal appearance. opportunity and artificial willingness to consider a minority candidate for the position. “
Mike Mularkey, who is white, was hired for this position instead.
In an interview with the podcast “Steelers Realm,” Mularkey talked about his hiring process for the head coach position and said:
“I allowed myself at one point when I was in Tennessee to get caught up in something that I regretted and I still regret. But the owner there, Amy Adams Strunk, and her family came up and told me I was going to be head coach in 2016 before they passed the Rooney Rule. And so I sat there knowing I was the head coach at 16 when they went through this sham recruitment process. Know a lot of the coaches they’re interviewing with, know how prepared they are to go through those interviews, know everything they can do and they don’t stand a chance of getting that job.. ”
Horton also spoke about joining the lawsuit with Flores and Wilks and said:
“I am proud to stand with Coach Flores and Coach Wilks in combating the systemic discrimination that has plagued the NFL for so long. When I learned from Coach Mularkey’s statements that my head coach interview with the Titans was a sham, I was disappointed and humiliated. By joining this case, I hope to turn that experience into a positive and create lasting change and true equal opportunity in the future.. ”
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