New York Giants release statement attempting to dispute Brian Flores’ discrimination claims

The New York Giants released a statement attempting to refute Brian Flores’ claims within a lawsuit against the NFL, and the team accusing discriminatory hiring practices

The New York Giants Thursday evening released a statement, and full interview itinerary, in an attempt to dispute Brian Flores’ discriminatory hiring practice claims the former Miami Dolphins head coach made in a lawsuit against the NFL that named the Giants, Denver Broncos, and Dolphins.

“There is additional concrete and objective evidence to substantiate we did not make our decision until the evening of the 28th,” the Giants said, as part of the statement.

Flores claims that his interview with the New York Giants, conducted on Jan. 27, one day before Brian Daboll was named head coach, was a “sham,” based on an alleged text message exchange with Bill Belichick in which the New England Patriots head coach mistakingly congratulated Flores on getting the Giants job — before he even interviewed it, intending instead to have messaged Daboll.

The New York Giants adamantly refuted that claim in Thursday’s statement. .

"The allegation that the Giants’ decision had been made prior to Friday evening, January 28, is false. And to base that allegation on a text exchange with Bill Belichick in which he ultimately states that he “thinks” Brian Daboll would get the job is irresponsible. The text exchange occurred the day before Coach Daboll’s in-person interview even took place. Giants’ ownership would never hire a head coach based only on a 20-minute zoom interview, which is all that Mr. Daboll had at that point."

The New York Giants interviewed three minority candidates for the head coaching vacancy ultimately filled by Daboll; Flores, defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who interviewed twice for the position.

Frazier’s interview concluded at 2:30 p.m. on Friday Jan. 28, and Daboll was formally announced as the Giants’ choice at 6 p.m. that evening.

As part of Thursday’s statement, the New York Giants included an itinerary of Flores’ visit to East Rutherford, and interview, that included extensive time spent with Chris Mara and Tim McDonnell.

Flores’ lawsuit is the strongest insinuation to date that the NFL’s hiring process is rife with systemic racism.

Following Flores’ firing by the Dolphins and David Culley’s dismissal as Houston Texans head coach last month, Mike Tomlin is the only African American head coach and the league has just three head coaches who are minorities; the Jets’ Robert Saleh and Washington Commanders’ Ron Rivera, despite 70 percent of players being African American.

You can read the Giants’ full statement here