Vikings DC Flores says he was hurt by Tagovailoa's sharp criticism but wishes Dolphins QB well

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Two Minnesota Vikings starters flanked defensive coordinator Brian Flores as he prepared to address blunt criticism of his character and coaching style delivered publicly by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, a sign of solidarity Flores relished from his current team while acknowledging he was hurt by the biting appraisal from his most prominent former player.

After Tagovailoa's commentary about their time together with the Dolphins was aired the day before, Flores took a high-road approach to his regularly scheduled news conference Tuesday at Vikings headquarters.

“I’m genuinely happy for the success that Tua’s had, and I really wish him nothing but the best,” Flores said. ”I think player relationships are very important to me. I think that’s kind of the foundation of coaching. I got into coaching because I was impacted as a young guy by my high school coaches, my college coaches, even going all the way back to Pop Warner. I got into coaching because I want to make that same type of positive impact."

Tagovailoa said on “ The Dan LeBatard Show ” that he has thrived with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel because of the difference in how he's been treated and how the experience with Flores eroded his self-esteem. Tagovailoa, who signed a four-year contract extension last month to solidify himself as the face of the Dolphins for the foreseeable future, said in the interview he has needed the past two years to train the negative thoughts out of his head.