Opinion: It's more than just an NFL lawsuit settlement – Jim Trotter actually won

Former NFL Network journalist Jim Trotter has settled his lawsuit. But he did more than that. He won.

He won because Trotter accomplished something that's almost impossible to do. He stood toe-to-toe with one of the most powerful institutions in the country and fought them to a standstill. He won because Trotter created the Work, Plan, Pray Foundation. The website describes the mission of the foundation this way: "(It will) aid students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities with scholarships and resources as they pursue degrees in sports journalism and sports management."

He won because he's brave. He won because fighting a massive corporation is tough, brutal and lonely stuff, and yet he still did it. He won because you find out who your true friends are when you take this type of bold action.

"Someone asked me once when this all first happened," Trotter said in an interview with USA TODAY Sports, "'What is it that I want?' I said I wanted positive change. I think (this settlement) is a big step towards that." Trotter later added: "I wanted to hold the NFL accountable."

Trotter's story may not get the most attention or clicks but it still is important and historic. Trotter's goal was to bring attention to the NFL Network newsroom that he says lacked people of color as key decision-makers in a space where the majority of players are people of color.

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The reason Trotter's actions hit a lot of Black journalists directly in the heart is because many newsrooms have this issue. Trotter's case is a proxy for a number of people who have battled this problem. He's been a beacon, fighting the good fight.

It all started in 2023 when Trotter, during the Super Bowl news conference with Commissioner Roger Goodell, asked about the lack of Black executives and news editors in NFL Media, which is owned by the league. Trotter announced about a month later that his contract had not been renewed with the NFL.

Trotter sued the NFL for retaliation in 2023 alleging his contract hadn't been renewed because of his questioning of Goodell at that news conference. Trotter's lawsuit also accused Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula of making discriminatory comments when asked about player protests, and the NFL's diversity efforts. Jones and Pegula denied making those comments.

"People think I have animosity toward the NFL," Trotter said in February 2024. "I do not. I don't at all. All I'm asking the NFL to do is to be what it says it is. And, as journalists, isn't that our job? To hold the people in power accountable. To make sure that their actions reflect their words."

Trotter took on the underbelly of not just the NFL but ostensibly also many different workplaces. This is a remarkable thing that shouldn't be forgotten.

Trotter also didn't just talk about these things. With his foundation, he's backed those words with action.

"As someone who has been a professional journalist for nearly four decades, it pains me that more African Americans are not at the table when determining what is a story, who will cover a story, and how a story will be framed, particularly when it involves African American athletes, coaches and executives," Trotter said on the foundation’s website. "Too often, these individuals' life experiences and cultural experiences are not represented during coverage discussions, which ultimately contributes to a mistrust of the media."

The name of the foundation, Trotter explained, comes from the late Junior Seau, whom Trotter covered while writing for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

"Seau was a giving soul who often ended speaking engagements by reminding the audience to work for today, plan for tomorrow, and pray for the rest," Trotter explained on the foundation’s website. "I could think of no greater way to thank him and carry on his legacy of giving than by amplifying his words in the name of this foundation."

Yes, Trotter settled this lawsuit.

But actually, he won it. In any number of ways.