After receiving criticism from former quarterback Tagovailoa, former Dolphins coach Brian Flores hopes to “grow.”
Former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores played peacemaker on Tuesday after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa called him “a terrible person” on the “Dan Le Batard Show.”
“I just want to say, look, I’m genuinely happy, genuinely happy for the success that Tua’s had,” Flores, now the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, told reporters. “I really wish him nothing but the best.”
Flores’ regretful tone was a far cry from what Tagovailoa described. The Dolphins signal-caller claimed that playing under Flores caused him to doubt himself, comparing the experience to being told “you suck” every morning.
“Look, I’m human. So, that hit me in a way that I wouldn’t say was positive for me,” Flores said of Tagovailoa’s comments. “But at the same time, I’ve got to use that and say, ’Hey, how can I grow from that, or how can I be better?’ And that’s really where I’m at from that standpoint.”
Two Vikings defenders, safety Josh Metellus and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, joined Flores at the podium to support their coach.
“We just love him, man,” Metellus said, according to ESPN. “He’s been great to us. I know everybody else has their own opinion, but as long as he’s been a Viking, he’s been good to the team.”
Flores did not say whether he apologized to his former quarterback, but noted that he would be open to it “if that time arises.”
“But I got a lot of other things going on, too, as he does,” Flores said. “Again, I’m just really focused on the guys here, the work that we’re putting in here.”
The Dolphins and Vikings do not face each other this year, but both teams will open the regular season on Sept. 8.
