Denver Broncos' John Elway fires back at claims of racist discrimination in Brian Flores' lawsuit

 Legendary quarterback John Elway fired back at the accusations of racial discrimination made by Brian Flores in his lawsuit against the team, the NFL, and two other teams.

Flores described his 2019 interview for the head coaching position at the Broncos and claimed that it was evidence of racial discrimination faced by black candidates in the NFL. He said that Elway and other team officials were "disheveled" when they arrived an hour late to the meeting, and claimed that it appeared that they had been out late drinking the night before.

Elway denied the claims and offered his own version of the events in a lengthy statement Thursday.

“While I was not planning to respond publicly to the false and defamatory claims by Brian Flores, I could not be silent any longer with my character, integrity and professionalism being attacked," said Elway.

Elway said it was "shocking" to read the claims made by Flores.

“For Brian to make an assumption about my appearance and state of mind early that morning was subjective, hurtful and just plain wrong. If I appeared ‘disheveled,’ as he claimed, it was because we had flown in during the middle of the night — immediately following another interview in Denver (with Mike Munchak) — and were going on a few hours of sleep to meet the only window provided to us," he explained.

The Denver Post reported that a source confirmed that Elway had driven from Boston to Providence on the day of the interview with Flores.

“I interviewed Brian in good faith, giving him the same consideration and opportunity as every other candidate for our head coaching position," concluded Elway.

Among the other evidence Flores offered in his lawsuit alleging racial discrimination was the claim that the owner of the Miami Dolphins had offered to pay him $100,000 for every loss of the team that would improve their draft position. Flores said he angered the owner when he began winning games instead.

Flores is also suing the Dolphins and the New York Giants in his lawsuit against the NFL.

Here's more about Elway's response to Flores:

John Elway vehemently denies Brian Flores' allegations | Pro Football Talk | NBC Sports