In a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, a former reporter for the league’s media division has accused two team owners of racist comments about black people. One of the accused has already commented on the matter.
According to the lawsuit, Terry Pegula of the Buffalo Bills said in a media session via Zoom: “If the black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is there.” The topic of conversation appeared to be the league’s social justice and Black Lives Matter initiatives in 2020.
The plaintiff, former NFL media reporter Jim Trotter, quoted an unnamed colleague in the lawsuit, and the statements in question were said to have been heard by approximately 40 other media representatives. Trotter said he subsequently suggested to NFL Media officials that they investigate Pegula’s “highly offensive and racist” comments, but were always brushed off by saying, “The league office is already investigating the matter.” However, there were no consequences.
Pegula, meanwhile, issued a statement through the Bills denying the allegations against him: “The statement associated with me in Mr. Trotter’s complaint is absolutely false. I am appalled that someone would attack me with such an accusation “Racism has no place in our society and I am personally disgusted that my name is associated with this complaint.”
NFL: Jerry Jones also cited in lawsuit
In addition to Pegula, Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys is also named in the lawsuit. He is said to have told Trotter in 2020: “If black people don’t feel comfortable in any way, they should buy their own team and hire whoever they want.” This is said to have been a response to a query from Trotter as to why “teams have so few black decision-makers”.
Trotter was known for repeatedly publicly denouncing the low number of black officials, especially in the league’s media department, NFL Media, and had, among other things, questioned Commissioner Roger Goodell on this topic several times in public media rounds, without getting clear answers. He was ultimately fired by NFL Network in March 2023, which ultimately led to a lawsuit against the NFL. The long-time reporter has since joined “The Athletic” and continues to report on the NFL.