Fritz Pollard Alliance supports Brian Flores in 'effort to level the playing field for men and women of color'

The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an organization that has worked to promote "equal opportunity" in the NFL and throughout the sports industry for minority candidates looking for jobs as head coaches and front-office executives. That entity made headlines last month when it publicly hit out at the fact Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers was left as the NFL's only Black head coach following the dismissals of Brian Flores and David Culley after the 2021 season. 

Several weeks later, Flores sent shockwaves throughout the pro football world when he filed a class action lawsuit alleging racial discrimination related to his Dolphins firing and interviews he had with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants. On Wednesday, Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves backed Flores in a statement shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. 

"Brian Flores‘ lawsuit is just the latest, dramatic call to action for the NFL and its team owners," Graves said. "Men and women of color in the NFL community have long known that the odds of advancing in the coaching ranks and in the front office are stacked against them. The Fritz Pollard Alliance supports Coach Flores and others in their effort to level the playing field for men and women of color." 

Florio adds Flores and his attorney suggested during Wednesday media appearances other Black coaches/former coaches will join the lawsuit. Former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson may be a candidate, although he hadn't yet confirmed he'll do so as of early Wednesday evening.