Former NFL.com columnist Jim Trotter has followed through with his anticipated discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, shedding light on comments made by two team owners in the process.
Trotter, formerly a columnist for NFL.com and NFL Network, made headlines when he confronted the Commissioner during a news conference in February, specifically questioning the absence of a single Black person working full-time on the NFL news desk.
Traditionally, the NFL Media makes talent contract decisions and considers new hires during the offseason.
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Shortly after his public questioning of Goodell, Trotter found himself without a job as his NFL contract was not renewed. He suspects that his dismissal may have been in retaliation for his outspokenness in challenging Goodell.
In his lawsuit, Trotter revealed that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones suggested that Black players should consider purchasing their own NFL team if they were dissatisfied with the lack of minorities in league front offices.
“If Blacks feel some kind of way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire.”
Additionally, Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula allegedly made derogatory comments, implying that Black players should “go back to Africa and see how bad it is” if they were unhappy with their treatment in the United States.
The NFL responded to the lawsuit in a statement, asserting that Trotter’s contract was not renewed due to budget constraints on the league website, leading to staffing reductions.
The league disputed Trotter’s specific allegations, especially those directed at his former NFL Media colleagues.
Jim Trotter had joined NFL Media in 2017, having previously covered the NFL for Sports Illustrated and ESPN.
