Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has responded to criticism from Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who labeled him a “terrible person” after working together for two seasons in South Florida.

Interestingly, Flores didn’t deny Tagovailoa’s accusations, instead opting to explain himself to the media.

“Look, I’m human,” Flores told reporters at the Vikings facility on Tuesday. “So, you know, that hit me in a way that wasn’t – I wouldn’t say it was positive for me. But at the same time, I’ve got to use that and say, ‘Hey, how can I grow from that? How can I be better?’ And that’s really where I’m at from that standpoint.”

During a podcast interview with Dan Le Batard on Monday, Tagovailoa unleashed on Flores, describing him as a coach fixated on the negative aspects of any situation. He contrasted Flores with his replacement in Miami, Mike McDaniel, whom he described as a positive person.

“To put it in simplest terms, if you woke up every morning and I told you you suck at what you did, that you don’t belong doing what you do, that you shouldn’t be here, that this guy should be here, that you haven’t earned this right, and then you have somebody else come in and tell you, ‘Dude, you are the best fit for this,'” Tagovailoa said.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (right) called Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores (left) a ‘terrible person’ during a recent radio interview

Flores and Tagovailoa are pictured together during a Dolphins practice in 2021 or 2022

“Like, how can I grow from that?”

Flores didn’t deny Tagovailoa’s accusations, instead opting to explain himself to the media.