Miami Heat player/assistant coach Udonis Haslem is upset about the situation with his hometown Miami Dolphins of the NFL. The lawsuit filed by former head coach Brian Flores alleged that team owner Stephen Ross offered Flores money to lose games on purpose.
Haslem, the ultimate do-whatever-it-takes-to-win player, can’t comprehend losing on purpose.
“I’ve wasted too many Sundays, man,” Haslem said in an interview with the Sun Sentinel. “And they losing on purpose? I take this to heart. This is personal. So if those allegations are true, I can’t move past that.”
He is the embodiment of “Heat Culture” which stresses and practices discipline, accountability, and work ethic. Losing on purpose is the antithesis of those things.
Haslem is in his 19th season in the NBA with the Heat. He’s been a part of three NBA championship teams and six NBA Finals teams. As an athlete and competitor, losing offends him.
“I love the Dolphins. I love that organization,” Haslem said. “But as an athlete who puts their heart and soul into the things I play, to hear that was very disturbing. And it’s hurtful to somebody who’s grown up watching that organization. So that’s where I’m at it, more hurt than anything, by those allegations.”
Flores filed a 58-page class action lawsuit in Manhattan federal court on Feb. 1, alleging discrimination regarding his interview processes with the Denver Broncos and New York Giants and his firing in January by the Dolphins.
The lawsuit claims the Giants violated the league’s Rooney rule covering inclusive hiring in picking their next head coach.
Included in Flores’ complaint are screenshots of alleged text messages in which New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick informed Flores that the Giants had already chosen Brian Daboll to be their new head coach while Flores was preparing to meet with Giants general manager Joe Schoen.
Ross has denied all the allegations made by Flores. The NFL is currently conducting an investigation.
Haslem’s feeling toward the Dolphins are not unique and are indicative of how many fans are feeling towards their favorite pro teams across all sports.
For more about the Brian Flores racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, click here.
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