On Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins were given a hefty punishment from the NFL following an investigation that covered a number of different allegations.
The Dolphins and team owner Stephen Ross were punished for tampering. However, one allegation that the NFL did not punish for was related to the possibility that Miami’s coaching staff was asked by Ross to tank in the 2019 season.
The NFL found that the Dolphins did not intentionally lose games during the 2019 season.
Goodell: "Comments made by Mr. Ross did not affect Coach Flores' commitment to win &Dolphins competed to win every game. Coach Flores is to be commended for not allowing any comment about relative importance of draft position to affect his commitment to win throughout the season" https://t.co/gJaws6AdJx
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 2, 2022
In reaction to the ruling, former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores issued a passionate statement.
Statement from former Dolphins HC Brian Flores on NFL findings regarding his tanking allegations against Stephen Ross. pic.twitter.com/8FFxFA8Bjj
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 2, 2022
It is very clear at this point that there is no love lost between Flores and the Dolphins. The two sides’ divorce earlier this year was pretty ugly. It is clear that Flores feels the NFL sided with Ross and the Dolphins regarding the tanking allegation.
With that in mind, it is not as though the team or its owner are getting off scot-free. The Dolphins are being forced to surrender two future draft picks, including their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Beyond that, Ross has been handed down a lengthy suspension as well as a $1.5 million fine.
It’s clearly a bad look for Miami, and it really gets in the way of all the excitement that has been brewing at the team’s training camp in recent days.
Hopefully, the players and new coaching staff will be able to block out all of the noise and continue to roll despite the NFL’s ruling and surrounding drama.
