By Frank Pingue

(Reuters] Former Miami Dolphins head coaching Brian Flores stated Wednesday that his refusal to play games in an effort to boost the team’s prospects of landing a high-ranking draft pick cost him his job.

Flores was fired by Miami last month after he claimed in a class action complaint that Stephen Ross, the Dolphins’ owner, offered Flores $100,000 in incentives to help him land a better draft pick for 2020.

When asked to respond to Flores’ allegations, the Dolphins referred Reuters on Tuesday to a statement they issued that stated that “the implication we acted inconsistently with the integrity the game was incorrect.”

Each team’s previous season finish determines the order in which players are drafted. The teams with lower standings get the first picks.

Plaintiffs alleged that the NFL and 32 of its teams discriminated against Black applicants for management and coaching jobs. Flores is Black.

In a Tuesday statement, the NFL responded to the lawsuit by stating that the allegations of racial bias had no merit and that the clubs are committed to fair employment practices.

This game has done so much for me. My family is located in Brownsville in Brooklyn. It wasn’t a family I grew up with. Flores stated that the game changed his life.

So, I feel that attacking the integrity of the games was what happened in this instance. It was unacceptable to me. It hurt me in the company and was ultimately the reason I was fired.”

Flores leaving Miami is one of the most shocking head coaching firings during the 2021 NFL Season. After winning eight of nine of their first seven games, the Dolphins have won the remaining nine.

Flores took over the Miami team that was in trouble in 2019 and went 24-25 in his three years of management. However, they failed to make the playoffs in a drought which dates back to 2016.

Flores says that some teams had conducted “sham interview” with Black candidates as a way to fulfill the 2003 NFL rule known as Rooney Rule, which requires coaches to speak to minorities.

Flores says Flores was asked by the New York Giants to be their head coach. They had previously decided to hire Brian Daboll (a white coach).

The Giants released a statement Tuesday saying they are “pleased” with Brian Daboll’s hiring process and Flores was “in the discussion to become our head coach up until the last minute.”

Flores explained to CBS Mornings that the suit was brought against those who employ head coaches and executives as well as other leaders. In a sport with 70% Black players, black coaches are very rare.