NFL Players' Reluctance to Speak Out Against Racism

The NFL is a multi-billion dollar business, with a player population that’s more than 60 percent African American. Yet the league’s owners, leadership, and reporters don’t reflect that diversity. In his role as an NFL Media journalist, Jim Trotter repeatedly questioned officials, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, about the league’s lack of diversity. After he lost his job, Trotter filed a lawsuit, claiming racial discrimination and retaliation. On today’s episode of A Word, Trotter joins host Jason Johnson to talk about career, his court case, and the importance of having more African American journalists covering professional football.

• Sandy Nunes, Vice President Talent Management On-Air at National Football League, declined to comment

• Stephen A. Smith, host of ESPN’s First Take, declined to comment.

• Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula previously denied Jim Trotter’s allegations.

• Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously denied much of Trotter’s account, saying “Some of the representation is not accurate” in response to the lawsuit.

Guest: Jim Trotter, senior opinion writer for The Athletic

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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