Steve Wilks’ ‘shocked and disturbed’ lawyers claim there is a ‘legitimate race issue in the NFL’

Steve Wilks’ lawyers were “shocked and disturbed” after he was passed over for the Carolina Panthers head coaching job.

Wilks, 53, took over as interim coach when Matt Rhule was fired; the Panthers had a dismal 1-4 record.

Despite going 6-6 in his 12 games in charge, Wilks was passed over for the job in favor of Frank Reich and his attorneys believe that highlights a “legitimate racial issue in the NFL.”

He released a statement on his social media saying he is “disappointed but not defeated.”

“We are shocked and upset that after the incredible job Coach Wilks did as interim head coach, which included bringing the team back into playoff contention and gaining the support of the players and fans that David Tepper passed him by. for the head coach job. ‘, lawyers Douglas Wigdor and John Elefterakis said in a statement, carried by receiving sports.

“There is a legitimate racial issue in the NFL, and we can assure you that we will have more to say in the days ahead.”

dailymail.com has reached out to the Panthers for comment.

Carolina showed real improvement under Wilks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles was among his teammates eager to see him permanently rewarded.

The Panthers hired Frank Reich, who was fired by the Indianapolis Colts this season.

Wilks’ only previous experience as a head coach came in a season with Arizona in 2018.

Reich, the former Indianapolis Colts coach, returns to the Panthers, for whom he threw the first touchdown pass in franchise history in 1995.

“The sun was up this morning and by the grace of God so was I,” Wilks wrote. ‘I am disappointed but not defeated. A lot of people aren’t cut out for this, but I know what it means to persevere and get through it.

‘It was an honor for me to coach those men in the locker room of the Carolina Panthers as interim head coach.

‘Players, coaches and staff, thank you for your hard work and dedication. I was proud to represent Charlotte, a great city that I love so much.

‘Thank you to my family, friends and the community for your overwhelming support.

I wish Frank Reich the best. I will always be a fan of the Carolina Panthers football team.’

Wilks’ lawyers have claimed there is a “legitimate racial issue in the NFL” in hiring coaches.

Wilks is being represented by Wigdor in a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, after joining forces with former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.

The NFL has tried to take the case to arbitration.

‘Mister. Wilks has also taken a courageous step forward to oppose the NFL’s systemic discrimination,’ attorneys for Wilks, Flores and other plaintiffs involved in the April amended lawsuit wrote.

‘Mister. Wilks was discriminated against by the Arizona Cardinals in a manner consistent with the experiences of many black coaches.’

As part of the lawsuit, Flores, who was fired by the Dolphins in 2021, called his interview with the New York Giants “a completely false interview conducted just to comply with the Rooney Rule.”

The Rooney Rule, adopted by the NFL in 2003, requires each team to interview at least two minority outside candidates for open head coaching positions and at least one minority outside candidate for a coordinator position.

In 2022 it was expanded to require teams to conduct outside interviews with a minority and/or female candidate for open QB coaching positions.