Flores responds to Broncos’ refute of his allegations: ‘I deal in truth’

DENVER — Brian Flores responded to the Broncos’ refute of his claims of a sham interview Wednesday, saying, “I deal in fact.”

Tuesday, Flores recognized the Broncos as one in every of three groups in a lawsuit filed towards the NFL for racial discrimination. He alleged bias in earlier head teaching interviews, together with with the Broncos in 2019. Flores claimed CEO Joe Ellis and staff president John Elway appeared hungover and confirmed up an hour late for his interview, making him consider he was not a severe candidate and solely be used to fulfill the league’s Rooney Rule requirement for minorities.

The Broncos vehemently denied these allegations, claiming the interview began on time at 7:30 a.m. and lasted practically 4 hours, labeling Flores assertions, “baseless and disparaging.”

Showing on ESPN’s “Get Up” program Wednesday, Flores responded when requested about his particular recollection of the interview.

“So, I’ve had 9 interviews with NFL golf equipment, and one interview the place anybody was late. And it wasn’t me that was late, it was the interviewers who have been late. And that was with the Broncos. There was a cause why they have been late. That they had been out the evening earlier than,” Flores mentioned.

Flores was requested what gave him that impression.

“Nicely once you sit at a desk with 5 individuals interviewing you, you possibly can inform who’s asking questions and who’s into the interview and who’s not essentially in the correct state in that second. Even then, I put my finest foot ahead. I confirmed why I used to be a superb candidate for that job. I’m all the time going to do this. However, you already know, I definitely didn’t really feel like I used to be taken critically, that I used to be simply there due to the Rooney Rule.”

The Broncos didn’t supply a brand new response to Flores’ claims on Wednesday.

Relating to the interview, the Broncos traveled from Denver and arrived on the resort round 3 a.m. in Windfall, R.I., for the 7:30 a.m. assembly with Flores, based on a supply. They mentioned they have been current for the scheduled interview time, that it lasted the deliberate period, concluding at 11 a.m., and included particular, detailed questions that confirmed their “honest curiosity” in Flores.

Ellis, based on a supply, was again east visiting household and drove down for the interview, whereas Elway accompanied the search committee on the flight.

The Broncos vehemently denied Flores’ accusations of a sham interview on Tuesday, releasing a press release that learn, partially:

“Pages of detailed notes, evaluation and evaluations from our interview reveal the depth of our dialog and honest curiosity in Mr. Flores as a head teaching candidate.

“Our course of was thorough and truthful to find out essentially the most certified candidate for our head teaching place. The Broncos will vigorously defend the integrity and values of our group—and its workers—from such baseless and disparaging claims.”

Flores is conscious that the Broncos have denied his claims, offering an in depth refute.

“Uhh, I deal in fact, that’s my response. I deal in fact. Honesty and integrity is necessary to me, and hopefully there’s a day the place we discover out the reality on that one,” Flores mentioned Wednesday.

Flores attended the ESPN interview along with his attorneys on Wednesday. The previous Dolphins coach admitted he hoped to teach within the NFL once more, however acknowledged which may not occur. He mentioned his aim is to create institutional change, and different coaches might be part of his lawsuit. The NFL has one black head coach — Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin — in a league the place roughly 70 % of the gamers are black.

“I do know there’s a sacrifice and danger to that, however we’d like change,” Flores mentioned on ESPN. “We’d like change.”