Flores lawyers say unsealed NFL recruiting report uses racial stereotypes
Brian Flores’ lawyers say a recruiting report prepared for the Las Vegas Raiders contains racial stereotypes and shows retaliation over his discrimination lawsuit. The report was unsealed Tuesday and includes his ongoing litigation among its listed weaknesses.
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Report unsealed
A Korn Ferry recruiting report on Brian Flores, prepared for the Las Vegas Raiders’ 2024 head coaching search, was made public Tuesday as part of his discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three teams. Flores is now the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator.
His lawyers say the assessment relies on racial stereotypes and demonstrates unlawful retaliation for bringing the lawsuit. The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the Guardian report.
Language challenged
Among Flores’ listed strengths, the report describes him as “polished and a good presenter despite growing up in Brownsville, Brooklyn (same as Mike Tyson).” It says a friendship with a billionaire’s son helped him learn to build relationships with “white-collar and upper-class individuals.”
Among its criticisms, the report says Flores “can fool you with his polish upwards” and has a “chip on his shoulder.” Attorney Michael Willemin said the report portrays Flores as an “angry Black man” and argued that the “polish upwards” reference diminishes his intelligence through a racial stereotype.
The report also lists “Ongoing litigation may be a distraction” as a weakness. Willemin pointed to that entry as evidence of retaliation against Flores over his lawsuit.
Lawsuit and coaching context
Flores, who is Black, sued the NFL, Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans in February 2022, alleging racial discrimination in hiring Black coaches. He had recently been fired as Miami Dolphins head coach. Black coaches Steve Wilks and Ray Horton later joined the lawsuit.
The recruiting report also cites criticism from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who played under Flores in 2020 and 2021. Tagovailoa said in 2024 that he began to believe he did not belong in the NFL under Flores; Flores responded that he wished Tagovailoa well and had reflected on the situation and his communication.
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