Title: Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Alleges Racist Comments by Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys Owners
Introduction:
A racial discrimination lawsuit filed by longtime reporter Jim Trotter against the NFL alleges that Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made racist comments about Black players in the league. The lawsuit claims that Trotter’s attempts to address the offensive remarks were dismissed by NFL Media executives. This article will delve into the details of the lawsuit, the responses from the accused owners, and the implications for diversity and inclusion in the NFL.
Heading 1: Allegations of Racist Comments by Terry Pegula
In the racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Jim Trotter, it is alleged that Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula made a racist comment about Black players in the NFL. According to the lawsuit, Pegula reportedly said, “If the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is.” Trotter, who is Black, brought this issue to the attention of NFL Media executives but claims that his concerns were brushed off.
Heading 2: Denial by Terry Pegula
Terry Pegula has vehemently denied making the racist comment attributed to him in the lawsuit. In a statement, Pegula expressed his horror at being associated with such an allegation and emphasized that racism has no place in society. He stated that he is personally disgusted by the complaint and refuted the claims made against him.
Heading 3: Jerry Jones’ Alleged Remarks
The racial discrimination lawsuit also mentions Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who allegedly told Jim Trotter in 2020 that “If Blacks feel some kind of way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire.” This comment was reportedly made during a conversation about the lack of Black decision-makers in the NFL. Trotter described the exchange as contentious, with Jones suggesting they “agree to disagree” on the league’s racial issues.
Heading 4: Response from Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither Jerry Jones nor the Dallas Cowboys had publicly commented on the allegations made in the lawsuit. It remains to be seen how they will address the claims against Jones and whether any action will be taken.
Heading 5: Employment Termination and Discrimination Claims
Jim Trotter’s employment at NFL Media, which oversees the NFL Network, ended earlier this year. The lawsuit alleges that Trotter was terminated because he challenged Commissioner Roger Goodell and others regarding the NFL’s record of race discrimination and lack of diversity. The NFL has disputed these allegations, stating that Trotter’s contract was not renewed due to business decisions related to the challenging economy and changing media environment.
Heading 6: Seeking Damages and a Call for Investigation
In the lawsuit, Jim Trotter is seeking unspecified damages and calling for a full-scale investigation into discriminatory and retaliatory animus within the NFL, including team owners. Trotter’s aim is to bring about real change across the league and in newsrooms. He is being represented by the same law firm that represented former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores in a similar discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three teams.
Conclusion:
The racial discrimination lawsuit filed by Jim Trotter against the NFL has brought to light allegations of racist comments made by Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. While both owners have denied the accusations, the lawsuit raises important questions about diversity, inclusion, and accountability within the NFL. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the league and team owners will respond to these serious allegations and whether they will take steps to address systemic issues of discrimination and lack of diversity.