NFL's Brian Flores Named to Time's 'The Closers' List for Work on Racial Wealth Gap

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores was among 18 people named to Time's list of "The Closers" who are working to end the racial wealth gap.

Flores, who is currently suing the NFL and several teams for racial discrimination, is one of two sports figures on the list. He's joined by Ramogi Huma, the executive director of the National College Players Association.

Flores filed a lawsuit against the NFL, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos and New York Giants in 2022, claiming racial discrimination in the league's hiring process for head coaches. He alleged former Dolphins owner Stephen Ross incentivized Flores to lose during his tenure as head coach and treated him "with disdain" when he refused to comply. He was fired in January 2022.

The Broncos and Giants were included for their actions in the hiring process when Flores was a candidate for their positions. In one of the more shocking revelations of the lawsuit, Flores presented a text message from former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick congratulating him for being hired by the Giants. The text message was meant for Brian Daboll.

Flores claims the text showed his interview with the Giants was essentially designed to comply with the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires minority candidates receive interviews for coaching vacancies. Daboll, who was hired by the Giants, is white.

Flores later added the Houston Texans to the suit, saying they passed him over for a coaching opportunity in retaliation for his suit, while a judge ordered him to settle his dispute with the Dolphins in arbitration.

At the time of Flores' lawsuit, only one NFL head coach was Black. There are now six Black head coaches across the league, and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is biracial.

Flores, who coached an undermanned Miami roster to a 24-25 record in three seasons, struggled to find work amid his lawsuit against the league. Despite his head coaching experience and reputation as a defensive mastermind, he took a job as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022.

The Vikings hired Flores as their defensive coordinator ahead of this season, and he instantly helped turn around a unit that ranked among the NFL's worst a year prior. Despite the quick turnaround, Flores did not receive any head coaching interviews during this hiring cycle.

That said, it could be argued his lawsuit and attempt to shed light on the NFL's hiring practices has led to other coaches getting opportunities.