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Brian Flores is Interviewed about Suing the NFL; Biden Orders Troops to Europe. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired February 02, 2022 - 08:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[08:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: "New York Times," who said, I'm extremely surprised he would put his career in jeopardy.

Does it feel like that to you?

BRIAN FLORES, FORMER MIAMI DOLPHINS HEAD COACH: Well, I understand the risk. Look, I love coaching football. I'm called to coach football. I'm gifted to coach football. And I still want to coach. Let's be clear about that.

But this is bigger than coaching. This is bigger than me. You know, the numbers speak for themselves as far as the hiring, firing, and the lack of opportunities for minority and black head coaches and executives in the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. And we need to change. We need things to change.

BERMAN: You know this could cost you your career. So why you doing it?

FLORES: Like I mentioned before, this isn't about me. And I understand that. This is -- this is bigger than me. This is bigger than football. Many have come before and done a lot to create change in this country for people of color. And I just felt like, in this instance, you know, it was my turn to step up and be an agent for change. And I'm proud to do that.

BERMAN: This is not a new situation in the NFL. The NFL would not acknowledge -- would acknowledge this is not a new situation. This is not a new situation in many ways for you. So, what puts you over the edge?

FLORES: My kids. That was a big part of this. You know, I look at -- I have two sons, they're, you know, eight and seven, I've got a five- year-old daughter. You know, when I look at them, I don't want them -- want them to go through some of the things I've had to go through. And I know that was the same for people who came before me as well.

They were thinking about me, even though I wasn't -- you know, I was -- I wasn't here yet. But that was a big thing.

And then I just think of all the coaches that, you know, even on my staff, I thought about guys on my staff, or my previous staff in Miami, who I know are more than capable, who have -- who are gifted to coach in this league, to lead. I just want them to have the opportunity to stand in front of an owner and have a real opportunity to get one of those jobs and lead a team.

JOHN ELEFTERAKIS, LAWYER FOR BRIAN FLORES: You're look at a coach who is decorated, is coming off two winning seasons. He's, you know, obviously held in high regard throughout the league. And look at what he's had to go through.

So, for a normal coordinator or someone who hasn't been able to shine the way Brian has, I mean, he's going through this stuff, can't imagine what they've had to go through. And that's part of what he's trying to break down, what we're trying to change.

BERMAN: First back-to-back winning seasons for the Dolphins since, what, 2003. You won eight of the last nine games. Clearly a team that was on the rise, yet, you got fired.

I guess what I'm getting at is, what was the straw that broke the camel's back? Was it the situation with the New York Giants?

FLORES: Yes. I mean that was it. As you know, there was a series of text messages that led me to believe that I was going on an interview for a job that was already handed to someone else. And, look, I'm all for, you know, hiring the person you want to hire. I understand that. And I think Brian Daboll is a great coach. He's someone I know. I've worked with. He's a great coach. And definitely someone I respect. But --

BERMAN: Let me read through this exchange so people know exactly what we're talking about here. This was a text exchange you had with Bill Belichick, whom you worked with for years at the New England Patriots. Coach Belichick writes you, sounds like you've landed. Congrats. You write back, did you hear something I didn't hear? Belichick writes, Giants? You write back, I interview on Thursday. I think I have a shot at it. Belichick writes, got it. I hear from Buffalo and the Giants that you are their guy. Hope it works out if you want to. Then you write, coach, are you talking to Brian Flores or Brian Daboll, just making sure? Then Belichick writes, sorry, I f-ed this up. I double- checked and I misread the text. I think they're naming Daboll. I'm sorry about that, Bill Belichick.

So, Belichick is telling you, days before you're even interviewing for the Giants job, that he thinks Daboll has got it locked up.

FLORES: Yes. And that's -- that's the -- that's what we're trying to change.

BERMAN: What did that feel like? FLORES: It was humiliating, to be quite honest. There was disbelief.

There was anger. There was, you know, a wave of emotions for a lot of reasons.

[08:35:08]

And I think this is why, you know, we filed the lawsuit.

DOUGLAS WIGDOR, LAWYER FOR BRIAN FLORES: You know, why did Bill Belichick even know about who's getting the job? Why is he talking to the Giants and to the Bills? I mean, last I checked, he was with the Patriots. I mean what's his involvement getting to know who's going to get -- land the head coaching position?

And so, you know, Brian's a really modest person. He's stepping up -- he's stepping up because, you know, this has been talked about for so long. There's only one black head coach. There are no black owners. There are very few offensive/defensive coordinators who are black. There are very few quarterback coaches or special teams coaches who are black. And Brian is stepping up. We believe other people are going to follow. And we're going to proceed as a class action in this case.

BERMAN: I'm going to get to the idea of, will other people follow and are they following. And just so people know, 70 percent of the players in the NFL are black. Seventy percent. And there's currently one black head coach and it's a lower number than it was, what, 20 years ago. So the number's going down, not up, just so people know that.

So, Belichick tells you the job is going to Daboll, a white coach. So you think at this point, what, the only reason the Giants are interviewing me is because they have to?

FLORES: Yes. The Rooney Rule. That's, you know, that's the first thing that came to my mind. But, you know, my other emotions were, why aren't I getting a real opportunity here?

BERMAN: What did it feel like when you actually were sitting down for the interview with them, after Belichick told you it was basically a done deal?

FLORES: I mean it -- I, again, another -- waves of emotions for me. You know, is this real? Is this -- am I wasting my time? But, look, I just put my best foot forward. That's what I've always done. Any time I've dealt with a situation where I was dealing with adversity or, look, I've had a -- I've been a long shot my entire life. So, I figured I'd put my best foot forward and interview to the best of my ability.

But there was also this sliver of hope that I had that -- and I guess that's -- you know, maybe I'm naive to the fact that -- of what's really -- what really goes on in the -- in the -- behind the scenes. It was a sliver of hope that day.

BERMAN: Did Belichick -- did Belichick know you were filing this lawsuit and you were going to make his text public?

FLORES: No, he did not.

BERMAN: Have you talked to him since?

FLORES: I have not.

BERMAN: Sliver of hope. And you've been through this, you say in this lawsuit, in a way before with the Denver Broncos, where you say that you are asked to interview but you were made to feel during the time that the interview was somehow not real. How so?

FLORES: Well, I show up to the interview. I think it was an 8:30 a.m. interview. They're late, which is unusual for, you know, this part -- this process. And, look, I know I'm not alone in this, where you're the only -- I believe I was the only minority interview. And just the entire process doesn't feel like you're an actual candidate. And that's unfortunate.

BERMAN: The Rooney Rule states that for head coach vacancies they have to interview, what, at least two minority candidates. The numbers differ for the other jobs there. But you felt that you were there as a number. That they weren't taking you seriously. They showed up late. You thought maybe they'd been drinking the night before. Just so people know, the Denver Broncos deny this. They say the allegations from Flores directed toward the Broncos in today's court filing are blatantly false. They say they showed up on time, et cetera.

The Giants, I should have said as you were talking about them, they say we interviewed an impressive and diverse group of candidates. The fact of the matter is Brian was in the conversation to be our head coach until the 11th hour. Ultimately we hired the individual we felt was most qualified to be our next head coach.

WIGDOR: Can I just say something about the Giants comment because I think it's interesting that you just read it.

BERMAN: Yes.

WIGDOR: I mean they don't deny that the job had already been given to Brian Daboll prior to the interview of Brian Flores. So, I mean, I think that that's a telling admission right there.

ELEFTERAKIS: Let me -- and we're talking about a mistaken text message, which we know these things happen. Brian's been through it. But think about the fact that this is a mistaken text message from Bill Belichick, otherwise Brian would have been in there, you know, with the -- the understanding of -- that there's a good chance he'd be treated as a Rooney Rule interview. But, he knew. And this was all uncovered from a mistake. And now it's out in the open and Brian, with all the risk and knowing that he's landing himself to a bigger cause, he's here to change what's been going on for the history of the NFL and society at large.

BERMAN: Again, I can't imagine what it must have felt like to get that text message from Belichick. You're talking about your kids and you're doing this for them. Did you tell your kids? Or, what would you have -- how would you explain that to your kids? [08:40:02]

FLORES: My wife and I, we've had conversations with them. I mean, look, they're older now. They understand kind of what's going on as far as with Miami and this situation as well. You know, and that conversation went just like this. Look, guys, there's only one black head coach in the National Football League. There's -- as they all know, they know there's a lot of, you know, black players in the league, and we just feel like it's unfair.

And, you know, dad may never coach again. He's taking that risk. But he's doing it so that you guys don't deal with some of the things that him and his peers are dealing with now.

BERMAN: George Martin, New York Giants great, was on this show last hour and said that you are the Rosa Parks of the NFL.

WIGDOR: Wow.

ELEFTERAKIS: Yes.

BERMAN: How does that feel?

FLORES: Humbling. But that gives me more confidence that we made the right decision here. And that we need to continue to fight for that change.

WIGDOR: Can I just say that I think -- I'm going to be optimistic here. I mean here we are on the second day of Black History Month. I'm going to be optimistic and say, this is a great opportunity for the NFL to be a leader, to be a leader in America, to make the changes. The Rooney Rule doesn't work. Everyone knows that. We have one head black coach. When the Rooney Rule started 20 years ago there were more. It doesn't work.

Implement policies. Acknowledge their fault. Recognize what's happened to Brian. Move forward. Set an example, not only for the NFL, but let's set an example for the rest of America. Let's come together at this time. I see this as an opportunity for them, rather than legal denials and things, let's move forward.

BERMAN: You make that case. You see what happened to Colin Kaepernick. Colin Kaepernick, you know, took a stand, never played again in the NFL. So how optimistic are you there will be the change?

FLORES: Well, look, I'm for anyone whose -- whose goal is to create change. And, you know, I back that.

I understand the risks. And I want to coach. I'm gifted to coach. I love coaching. I'm passionate about it. And I'm hopeful that I will coach again.

BERMAN: And, again, you've had interviews in the last two days with the Texans and the Saints. So that's still out there.

Look, I want you to hang on for a second, if you will, because I have a lot more to ask you. There's an explosive claim in this following (ph) that could have major legal implications where you say the owner of the Dolphins offered to pay you to lose. We're going to discuss that when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:46:50]

BERMAN: We're back with Brian Flores, the former head coach of the Miami Dolphins, who is suing the NFL and multiple teams for discrimination. His attorneys are also here with us.

Brian, in this suit, among other things, you allege that Stephen Ross, who is the owner of the Miami Dolphins, this is back in 2019, because he wanted the Dolphins to get a higher draft pick, you allege he wanted the Dolphins to lose and he offered to pay you $100,000 for each game you lost?

FLORES: Yes. And it's an unfortunate situation for a number of reasons. One, this game has done -- the game of football has done a lot for me personally. You know, my parents are immigrants. They came over to this country in the '70s really looking for the American dream for their kids. For me and my four brothers. We grew up in, you know, the projects in Brooklyn, Brownsville, Brooklyn, not too far away from here. And the game of football has opened, you know, more doors for me than I can -- I could have ever imagined. So, the integrity of the game is of the utmost importance to me. So --

BERMAN: How did that conversation go?

FLORES: It was -- it was really a conversation between myself and the general manager, Chris Grier. And, you know, like you mentioned, it's, you know, Steve's upset about, you know, that we're compromising our draft position right now because we're winning too many games.

BERMAN: Did Ross, to you, explicitly say to you personally, I'll give you $100,000 each game you lose?

FLORES: Yes. Yes, he did. Absolutely. That's not something you make up.

BERMAN: I'm not -- I'm not saying that.

ELEFTERAKIS: In another situation, which is in the complaint about the boat, where he was put in a compromising position to potentially have to run off a boat because there was a player coming that he wasn't supposed to meet with. And, you know, the problem becomes, in society and in the NFL, when a black man, you know, has convictions and states a position, he's deemed and portrayed as difficult and impossible to work with. He's passionate, moraled and a great coach.

BERMAN: I get that. I'm just trying to get this -- this conversation, which I think is stunning, I'm just trying to figure out exactly what Ross said to you.

FLORES: I mean we -- there were, you know, several conversations about, we don't, you know, take a vacation. You know, we don't need to -- we don't need to win right now. You're going to keep your job. You know, you signed a contract. You know, things like that.

Well, look, I've got a -- I've got a group of men in that locker room I need to --

BERMAN: Yes.

FLORES: Be able to look them in the eye and they need to know that I'm helping them reach their potential. We're trying to win games. And I was never going to stand for that. And that -- I would say that strained a lot of the relationships in Miami.

BERMAN: Hang on one second. I'm no lawyer, right, but is it even legal? I mean have you been contacted by authorities or investigators yet? If an owner is offering to pay a coach to lose, how can that even be legal?

[08:50:03]

WIGDOR: Well, he didn't -- he didn't listen to the directive, but the attempt at doing it definitely has some legal implications. And so, you know, we're going to prove that, if this case continues to go. We're going to -- there's going to be corroborating evidence. There's going to be other witnesses. There's going to be emails and texts. We're confident in that allegation.

As Brian said, you don't just make that up, right?

BERMAN: No -- yes.

WIGDOR: You know, if he's going to -- it's a race case, right? So, if he's going to make something up, he's going to say Stephen Ross called me the "n" word, right? Like, that's what he's going to make up. He's not going to make something up like this.

BERMAN: Any contact yet from investigators or authorities or any legal context yet based on that?

WIGDOR: You know, even if they had contacted me, I wouldn't be able to share that with you.

BERMAN: OK.

WIGDOR: So, not to dodge your question, but I'm not -- I wouldn't be able to answer it.

BERMAN: And you think your refusal --

FLORES: Yes.

BERMAN: To be paid to lose, and your refusal to allegedly tamper with players when it wasn't allowed by the rules, you think that contributed to you being fired?

FLORES: Absolutely. One hundred percent. And I think that strained a lot of the relationships and not necessarily in the building. And I implore people to, you know, talk to the people in the Miami Dolphins building, the cafeteria people, the security people, the people who work the fields, the people -- the medical staff, the player development, I mean, I think, you know, from a culture standpoint and from a relationship standpoint, I go out of my way to try to make people feel appreciated. And that was certainly the case. And I'm looking forward to hearing those people speak about their relationships.

BERMAN: And there was an article in one of the Florida papers after you were fired saying, oh, he was fired because he was uncooperative, right? What did that sound like to you?

FLORES: IT sounded like a smear campaign. That's what it sounded like. And, you know, the one thing that's -- that's -- I don't want to say the one thing, but, you know, my character -- character integrity is important to me. And having my character attacked, that hurt, you know, more than -- really more than anything.

WIGDOR: Can I just say, like, not only are people going to come and support Brian, but I just want to make a plea because there's so many other black qualified coaches at all different levels in the NFL. And hopefully Brian has made a change so they can now come forward and support and vindicate their rights as well.

BERMAN: Can I ask -- we've got a couple minutes left. Rapid fire here. Any other coaches signed up to this lawsuit yet?

WIGDOR: Not yet, but there will be.

ELEFTERAKIS: We -- we, yes. We're in contact with people who have reached out to us.

BERMAN: OK.

ELEFTERAKIS: Expressing similarities which we know exist, and a desire to come on board and follow Brian's lead.

BERMAN: The difficulty in this lawsuit, you acknowledge -- first of all, everyone can see that this issue exists in the NFL. The NFL acknowledges this --

ELEFTERAKIS: The numbers -- the numbers speak for themselves.

BERMAN: The difficulty in your suit is proving that Coach Flores here was fired or is not being hired because of race, correct?

WIGDOR: IT's going to -- I don't think that's going to be difficult. I'll use a basketball metaphor. I think it's a slam dunk, actually. Don't forget, I mean he -- he was a head coach. He goes for an interviewed that he -- the job's already been given to a white competitor (ph). You look at the statistics as well. You look at the admissions from the NFL. But if you look at the concussion -- one last thing, you look at the --

BERMAN: But the problem -- the problem is -- the problem is, to prove -- legally to prove that it was given to Daboll and not to Coach Flores here because Daboll was white.

WIGDOR: It's about the NFL's decision to treat black people as cognitively inferior to white people with the concussion syndrome. There's so much evidence of discriminatory animus here.

ELEFTERAKIS: And we -- and we can't get to your point that, let's have an analysis and a comparison of who was the more qualified candidate because we don't get to that step because the -- Brian wasn't given a fair shake. So how can you say someone's more qualified if you give him the job before you even allow him to interview?

BERMAN: So, Coach, I want to end with you here.

Just tell me what it felt like for you being a black coach in the NFL. How do you think it was different than if you were white? There are all kinds of statistics in here that the duration for a white coach is three and a half years, for a black coach is two and a half years. That the number of black coaches that have been fired after winning seasons like dwarves the number of white coaches that have been fired after winning seasons.

So, how did it feel to you personally? What pressures did you feel?

FLORES: I would say I felt similar pressures that, you know, black people feel in all fields. Not just football. That we have to do more. That we have to be better. That we have to -- we have to be exceptional just to stay on an even -- a level playing field. And it's, you know, in a lot of ways unfair. But that's -- I know I'm not alone in that feeling. I know that.

And, you know, I think we're going to get more stories, you know, similar to mine. And, you know, I asked them, you know, if it's -- and it's hard to step out. It really is. It's hard to do, you know, what we're doing here.

[08:55:03]

Because, you know, in doing so, you risk doing what you love, which is coaching the game of football.

But being a black coach in the National Football League, you know that, you know, there's a target. I would say a little bit of a target on you. And you know you have to be better than your counterparts.

ELEFTERAKIS: And these -- and these feelings that people feel every day, these tragic feelings that black people are forced to feel every day, this is a reality. And the world needs to wake up, the NFL needs to wake up, society needs to wake up. And Brian lending himself, sacrificing everything for this is an amazing thing. And we're behind him.

BERMAN: Can I ask, again, you're interviewing -- in the interview process with the Texans and Saints. If you get called, you know, after this interview that you're hired for one of those jobs --

FLORES: I'm coaching -- I'm coaching football. BERMAN: And will you drop the lawsuit?

FLORES: No. No. We need change. And that's what we need. We need change. This isn't about -- this is about changing the hiring practices of the National Football League. And that's what the lawsuit is about. But, you know, I want to coach football. You know, that's what I'm called to do.

BERMAN: In your heart of hearts, do you think you'll get one of these jobs?

FLORES: I'm hopeful. I am. I'm hopeful. And that's the hope. That's really all I need. And if given the opportunity, you know, I'll always do my best to coach guys up and, you know, try to help them, you know, become the best versions of themselves. That's what coaching is about.

ELEFTERAKIS: And Brian -- and Brian stepping out now may give other black candidates a real shot at filling some of these other vacancies. So, we're not going to say that solves anything. That would just be masking the smell, so to speak, but we're hoping that there's even an immediate effect where people are taken seriously in these vacancies.

BERMAN: And, again, I want to let you guys go here. I know you have a busy day. But one year, five years, ten years from now, if it turns out -- an I hope it doesn't go like this -- but if it turns out you've coached your last NFL football game, how would you feel?

FLORES: If there's change, it will be worth it.

BERMAN: Coach Flores, Counselors, I appreciate you being with us. Please keep us posted. This is not going to be quick. It's not going to be easy. And it's the beginning of what could be a long and I think revealing process. Appreciate it.

FLORES: Thank you.

ELEFTERAKIS: Thank you for the time.

WIGDOR: Thank you.

BERMAN: Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: We do have some breaking news.

President Biden has formally approved additional U.S. military deployments to eastern Europe in response to this escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Deployments are expected to begin here in the coming days. And CNN's Barbara Starr is breaking this news for us and has the details.

Barbara, what can you tell us? Because so many troops, thousands of troops here in the U.S., were on heightened alert.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Brianna. The first sign of this is the Pentagon has now called an unusual

morning press conference for 10:00 a.m. here in Washington. And what we expect to learn in just about an hour is that thousands of additional troops, both here in the United States and U.S. troops already stationed in Europe are being earmarked now for deployment in the coming days to eastern Europe. The most likely places they will initially go, we are told by sources, are -- is Poland and Romania. Two allies very nervous about Russian aggression on Europe's eastern flank.

These troops are, of course, are not going to Ukraine. President Biden has ruled that out.

But this is another step in the effort to shore up deterrents and reassurance to the European allies in Europe, in the face of this Russian aggression.

So, what are we looking at? We're looking at troops already in Europe. They will be able to move very quickly and then they will be the first ones to move east. That's a relatively easy proposition for them. Part of the 60,000 U.S. troops already in Europe.

Other U.S. troops back here in the United States who routinely serve on a shortened alert notice to be ready to go every day of the week, they also will be earmarked, we're told. Significant, all of this is in addition to the 8,500 troops the Pentagon previously announced were on a shortened alert status. This is new. These are additional troops that will be going.

This is a unilateral effort by the U.S. They will work with those countries over there. The U.K. doing something similar. Right now, doesn't look like NATO is anytime soon going to activate that international response force. So, we are seeing the moves by the U.S. to go ahead in advance of any Russian move across the border to put more U.S. troops on that eastern flank.

Brianna.

KEILAR: Just real quickly, Barbara, some are combat capable, though, right?

[09:00:03]

Some of these troops, we expect?

STARR: Sure.

KEILAR: Yes.

STARR: Let's be clear, these will be Army, Air Force, but very much an effort of reassurance and deterrence, not to encounter Russian forces.

KEILAR: All right, Barbara, thank you so much for that.

Our special coverage continues right now.