Jim Trotter settles lawsuit against NFL and establishes HBCU scholarship foundation named after Junior Seau

Journalist Jim Trotter announced Wednesday that he has settled his retaliation lawsuit against the NFL. The former NFL Network reporter, who is now employed by The Athletic, released a statement on social media about the settlement.

“The NFL and I have agreed to resolve my lawsuit,” Trotter said in the statement. “I will be establishing a scholarship foundation for journalism students at HBCUs and the NFL has agreed to make a donation in support of that. I am proud to have the opportunity to help and support HBCU students in achieving their goals and dreams, just as scholarships provided me with those opportunities when I was a student at Howard University.”

Trotter named his new foundation the Work, Plan, Pray Foundation, after late NFL star Junior Seau, who died of suicide in 2012. Trotter covered Seau while working for the San Diego Union-Tribune, and says Seau “took me under his wing.” and taught me about the culture of a locker room and the mentality of a top professional athlete.” On the foundation’s website he explained why he chose ‘Work, Plan, Pray’ as the name.

“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 said. “I couldn’t think of a better way to thank him and continue his legacy of giving than by amplifying his words on behalf of this foundation.”

On the foundation’s website, Trotter notes that the lack of Black voices in sports media often leads to distrust of the media because Black fans don’t see anyone who represents their life and cultural experiences. The foundation’s goal is to increase Black voices in sports journalism and sports management by providing resources, both financial and otherwise, to help interested students break down the barriers that stand between them and a college education.

Trotter made headlines in February 2023 when he used the Super Bowl news conference with Commissioner Roger Goodell to pressure Goodell about the lack of Black executives and news editors at NFL Media, which owns and operates the NFL. (Trotter had asked Goodell a similar question during last year’s Super Bowl news conference.) A month later, Trotter announced he was leaving NFL Network because his contract had not been renewed.

Six months later, in September 2023, Trotter sued the NFL for retaliation, claiming his contract was not renewed because he publicly questioned Goodell about the NFL’s record of racial discrimination and lack of diversity. In the lawsuit, Trotter 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. Both Jones and Pegula denied making these comments.