Brian Flores lawsuit: Potentially trading his career for future progress

Brian Flores’ decision to sue the NFL comes with the understanding that it “might signal the end of his career as an NFL head coach," but it was a move that he "felt he had to do it anyway," according to Bob Glauber of NEWSDAY. Flores could "effectively become persona non grata the way Colin Kaepernick wound up for speaking out on social justice issues." Despite possibly closing the door on his coaching career, he might be able to “open the door for others." Glauber: “He may or may not win his case, but make no mistake. Owners are paying attention” (NEWSDAY, 2/2). In Ft. Lauderdale, Omar Kelly writes Flores can now "take a seat next to Colin Kaepernick as a social justice crusader who likely jeopardized his career in the sport he loved to create change." By filing the lawsuit on the same day he was meeting with the Saints about their head coaching vacancy, Flores must have concluded that "pulling back the curtain on the NFL’s racially biased undertones could deliver the change needed to create a better league." Doing this at the peak of your coaching career, which Flores did, is "brave and courageous," especially as he was the "hottest minority candidate in the job market" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 2/2).

FLORES OK WITH POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES : Flores appeared live on “CBS Mornings" today, and co-host Gayle King acknowledged that many people believe that Flores either has “ torpedoed your career, that this is the craziest thing you could have done, or that it's very brave and very bold of you to do.” King: “Are you at peace with your decision?” Flores replied, “I understand the risks and, yes, it was a difficult decision. I went back and forth and I love coaching … but this is bigger than that” ( “CBS Mornings,” 2/2 ). YAHOO SPORTS' Shalise Manza Young wrote Flores' decision to "potentially lose his career as a coach" at just 40 years old "cannot be understated." There are moral stands, and then there is "taking on a billion-dollar behemoth." What Flores is doing is "long overdue and awe-inspiring." He has filed a class-action lawsuit, and there is a "hope that other coaches will join him," that he "isn't stepping into this breach alone" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/1). In Phoenix, Greg Moore writes Flores is a "hero for suing the NFL," though "heroes of this sort in the sports world quickly become martyrs." Flores is "aware that he may have coached his last NFL game" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 2/2).

NOT KEEPING QUIET ANY LONGER: In Boston, Gary Washburn writes Flores could have "played the game that many of his Black coaching predecessors did." He could have "remained quiet, caught on to an NFL coaching staff" and "waited a few years for (maybe) his next opportunity." Instead, Flores "became this generation’s Curt Flood, likely sacrificing his career and NFL coaching future to expose the league for its fraudulent attempt at diversity and fairness." It is "hard to see acceptance when you know in your heart you never will be viewed as an equal." The NFL has "proven once again it doesn’t view Black coaches and front office executives as equals to their white counterparts" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/2). The Undefeated’s Bill Rhoden noted the NFL's problem “is not race, but it’s racism.” Rhoden: “We've been talking about this for decades. …  the sham interviews, people knowing who they're going to hire and putting black candidates through this sham” ( “The News with Shepard Smith,” CNBC, 2/1).