The New York Giants insist they decided on their next head coach only after interviewing Brian Flores, disputing claims made in a class action lawsuit he filed against the league.
Flores alleged in the suit that the NFL is rife with racism and has a "disingenuous commitment to social equity".
He is suing the league along with teams at whose hands he claims he experienced racism, naming former team the Miami Dolphins along with the Giants and Denver Broncos as defendants, together with "John Doe Teams 1 through 29".
The NFL said Flores' claims "are without merit", saying it would put up a defence. The three teams named by Flores also rejected his allegations.
Among the allegations made by Flores is that he inadvertently learned he had failed to get the Giants job last week before his interview, which the lawsuit claims was "a sham" that "humiliated" him.
The suit contains screen grabs of an alleged text message conversation between New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Flores, in which Belichick congratulates Flores on what he believes is an impending appointment, only to realise he was messaging the wrong person, having intended to contact Brian Daboll, who got the Giants job.
During the text exchange, Flores questioned whether Belichick had messaged the correct person, with the Patriots coach having indicated he had inside knowledge on who would land the job.
According to the lawsuit's contents, Belichick at this point realised his error and apologised to Flores, who worked for him for 10 years with the Patriots.
However, the Giants released a lengthy statement on Thursday, saying: "The decision on who we would hire as head coach was made on the evening of January 28, one day after Mr. Flores spent an entire day in our offices going through his second interview for the position, meeting with ownership and other staff members, and receiving a tour of our facility."
The team added Belichick would have no knowledge of any decision, as the alleged conversation suggested.
"The allegation that the Giants' decision had been made prior to Friday evening, January 28, is false," the Giants said.
"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.
"In addition, Mr. Belichick does not speak for and has no affiliation with the Giants. Mr. Belichick's text exchange provides no insight into what actually transpired during our head coaching search."
The Giants included a timeline of Flores' day at their facility and said: "We hired Brian Daboll as our head coach at the conclusion of an open and thorough interview process. No decision was made, and no job offer was extended, until the evening of January 28, a full day after Mr. Flores' in-person interview and day-long visit to the Giants."
Warner hails Niners for 'standing tall' in nervy Seattle win
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner hailed the team for standing tall on the road after they held off a Seattle Seahawks fightback for a crucial 36-24 win.
The Niners were in dire need of a victory after blowing double-digit fourth-quarter leads in losses to the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals in Weeks 3 and 5.
They made a strong start to Thursday's meeting between two NFC West rivals, assuming a 23-3 lead early in the third quarter, as Brock Purdy threw a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown to Deebo Samuel and another score to George Kittle.
However, the defending NFC champions let Seattle back in and saw their lead trimmed to six points by the start of the fourth, with the Seahawks reeling off 14 straight points then getting the ball back via a Rasheem Green interception.
However, they held firm and another two touchdowns – a second Purdy-Kittle link-up and a six-yard Kyle Juszczyk rush – ensured they improved to 3-3, level with Seattle.
Asked if doubts began to creep in as the Niners' lead shrunk, three-time All-Pro Warner said: "A thousand percent.
"It sucks, but yes, it was something that felt familiar for sure. We could go one of two ways right there.
"We could stand tall in a hostile environment and get the game that we got to get or we could settle for exactly how we've been playing the last couple losses."
The 49ers' season has seen them hampered by injuries to the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Dre Greenlaw and Javon Hargrave, and head coach Kyle Shanahan was handed another headache on Thursday as running back Jordan Mason was forced off with a shoulder issue.
Asked for an update on Mason's condition after the game, Shanahan said: "He thought he was going to be alright.
"He went back in, and it just hurt him too much, so he went out. We'll find out more tomorrow."
San Francisco's victory came at a crucial time as they are involved in the matchup of the season so far in Week 7, when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in a repeat of February's Super Bowl LVIII clash.
Offensive tackle Trent Williams said of that game: "It's not like we can get payback for losing in the Super Bowl. That ship has sailed.
"Obviously, we know what type of team that is, one of the best teams in the league... All-Star quarterback, great coach.
"We're going to take these three days off and regroup and try to put a complete game together."
Purdy throws three touchdowns to lead 49ers past Seahawks
Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and the San Francisco 49ers never trailed in a 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
Deebo Samuel had a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown and finished with three catches for 102 yards for the defending NFC champions (3-3), who moved into a tie with Seattle (3-3) for first place in the NFC West after an uneven start to the season.
George Kittle added five receptions for 58 yards and two scores for the 49ers, who beat the Seahawks for a sixth straight time. Kyle Juszczyk added a late TD run for the 49ers, and he and Kittle both celebrated their scores by leaping into the stands to embrace their wives, who were sitting together in the first row.
Matthew Wright, who joined San Francisco earlier this week to replace injured kicker Jake Moody, had a trio of first-half-field goals from 25, 41 and 35 yards.
Geno Smith passed for 312 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice, and the Seahawks lost their third straight after a 3-0 start under new coach Mike Macdonald.
Purdy throws 3 touchdowns to lead 49ers past Seahawks
Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and the San Francisco 49ers never trailed in a 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
Deebo Samuel had a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown and finished with three catches for 102 yards for the defending NFC champions (3-3), who moved into a tie with Seattle (3-3) for first place in the NFC West after an uneven start to the season.
George Kittle added five receptions for 58 yards and two scores for the 49ers, who beat the Seahawks for a sixth straight time. Kyle Juszczyk added a late TD run for the 49ers, and he and Kittle both celebrated their scores by leaping into the stands to embrace their wives, who were sitting together in the first row.
Matthew Wright, who joined San Francisco earlier this week to replace injured kicker Jake Moody, had a trio of first half-field goals from 25, 41 and 35 yards.
Geno Smith passed for 312 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice, and the Seahawks lost their third straight after a 3-0 start under new coach Mike Macdonald.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
