Fired Dolphins coach Flores sues NFL, 3 teams alleging racist hiring practices

Fired Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and three of its teams Tuesday, saying racist hiring practices by the league have left it racially segregated and managed like a plantation.

The lawsuit in Manhattan federal court sought class-action status and unspecified damages from the league, the Dolphins, the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants, along with unidentified individuals.

Flores was fired last month by Miami after leading the Dolphins to a 24-25 record over three years. They went 9-8 in their second straight winning season, but failed to make the playoffs during his tenure.

"God has gifted me with a special talent to coach the game of football, but the need for change is bigger than my personal goals," Flores said in a release put out by the law firm representing him in the case.

"In making the decision to file the class action complaint today, I understand that I may be risking coaching the game that I love and that has done so much for my family and me. My sincere hope is that by standing up against systemic racism in the NFL, others will join me to ensure that positive change is made for generations to come," he said.

The lawsuit alleges that the league has discriminated against Flores and other Black coaches for racial reasons, denying them positions as head coaches, offensive and defensive coordinators and quarterbacks coaches, as well as general managers.

BIG NEWS: Fmr Dolphins coach Brian Flores files class action lawsuit against the NY Giants and the NFL, claiming racial discrimination.<br><br>Says he can prove Giants interviewed him as a "Rooney Rule" show after already deciding to hire Brian Daboll. <a href="https://t.co/WWyOvWm1Gs">https://t.co/WWyOvWm1Gs</a>

"In certain critical ways, the