Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones denies making racist remark, refutes alleged accusation
Jim Trotter is an ex-NFL Network employee who has filed a racial discrimination claim against the NFL, arguing that he was fired for speaking out about the NFL’s lack of diversity in the league office, coaching ranks and its own media operation.
Trotter had previously gone viral on X (formerly Twitter), for questioning NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the NFL’s lack of diversity during the lead-up to the 2023 Super Bowl.
Trotter, who currently writes for The Athletic, filed a 53-page complaint in federal court in Manhattan on Tuesday.
As a part of that complaint, Trotter mentioned what he felt were racist comments by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones that he felt weren’t properly addressed by NFL Network officials.
Trotter claims that in August 2020 when he asked Jones about the lack of Black employees in decision-making positions at the NFL the Cowboys owner gave an incendiary response.
“If Blacks feel some kind of way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire,” said Jones according to the complaint.
Trotter followed up the claim by saying officials at the NFL Network ordered him to not use Jones’ comments publicly.
Jones refuted Trotter’s version of events, calling them inaccurate in a response.
“Diversity and inclusion are extremely important to me personally and to the NFL. The representation made by Jim Trotter of a conversation that occurred over three years ago with myself and our VP of Player Personnel Will McClay is simply not accurate,” said Jones.
Jones was not the only owner who was alleged to have made racist comments.
Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Bills was accused of making racist comments while talking to an NFL Media reporter about Black Lives Matter and the NFL’s stance on social justice.
“If the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is,” said Pegula according to the complaint.
In a statement put out by the Buffalo Bills on X, Pegula denied making the comment saying he was dismayed to be accused of racism.
Trotter explained on X why he was pursuing the lawsuit saying he had to fight for what is right.”
The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. I tried to do so, and it cost me my job. I’m filing this lawsuit because I can’t complain about things that are wrong if I’m unwilling to fight for what is right,” said Trotter.
This story was originally published September 12, 2023 at 11:49 AM.
