Hold onto your helmets, folks, because longtime journalist and Howard University alum Jim Trotter just threw a major flag on the NFL—and it’s leading to some big plays for future sports journalists. Trotter, who recently went toe-to-toe with the NFL over what he says is their not-so-stellar track record on race and diversity, announced Wednesday that both sides have agreed to settle his lawsuit. But here’s the twist: instead of a routine handshake and parting ways, the NFL is donating to a scholarship Trotter’s starting up for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Yep, Trotter is using his case’s spotlight to help the next generation of sports media pros from HBCUs reach for their goals—no end zone dances needed.
Taking to X (you know, Twitter’s new…well, thing), Trotter shared his excitement, saying, “The NFL and I have agreed to resolve my lawsuit. I’ll be creating a scholarship foundation for journalism students at HBCUs, and the NFL has agreed to make a donation in support.” Talk about putting your money where your lawsuit is. Trotter knows a thing or two about the impact of scholarships—he himself attended Howard University on a tuition scholarship, which helped him focus on his studies and eventually led him into the NFL Network gig that launched this whole saga. Now, through his Work, Plan, Pray Foundation, Trotter’s determined to bridge the gap for students with similar dreams but without deep-pocketed backing. He envisions the foundation not just as a scholarship fund but as a beacon for helping HBCU students grab those hard-to-come-by resources and break into the sports media and management industries.
If you’re wondering where the name Work, Plan, Pray comes from, it’s got a backstory as cool as Trotter’s fight itself. Junior Seau, the NFL linebacker and all-around big-hearted dude Trotter used to report on, coined that phrase during his speaking engagements, advising people to “work for today, plan for tomorrow, and pray for the rest.” Trotter saw no better way to honor his friend’s legacy than to build a foundation in his name. And that’s just one more layer to the story of Trotter—a guy who’s here to play the long game, not just make a scene.
But let’s rewind. This all started with Trotter’s years-long battle against what he claims are outdated, discriminatory practices within the NFL. His fight heated up last year when, during a public Q&A, Trotter asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell some tough questions about the league’s poor diversity record. He says the fallout was swift. In March 2023, NFL Network announced it wouldn’t be renewing his contract, ending a partnership that had kicked off in 2018. According to Trotter’s lawsuit, Sandra Nunez, NFL’s VP of On-Air Talent Management, questioned his “alignment” with the NFL. Spoiler alert: the league didn’t renew his contract after that. And as if that wasn’t enough, Trotter alleged a few eyebrow-raising comments from league bigwigs, including Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula. The quotes? Not exactly going on motivational posters anytime soon.
Jones allegedly told Trotter, in response to why the NFL lacks Black coaches and front office leadership, that “If Blacks feel some kind of way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire.” And Pegula’s alleged comment? Buckle up: “If the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is.” Both owners denied these comments faster than an NFL team pulls a controversial play from their social media. Regardless, the controversy put Trotter’s lawsuit under the spotlight and brought questions of NFL diversity—or lack thereof—front and center.
Trotter’s attorney, David Gottlieb, praised his client’s integrity, calling Trotter’s decision to start this scholarship fund “an act of courage and devotion.” And get this—the law firm is kicking in some cash, too, adding to the pot for HBCU students wanting a shot at sports journalism and management careers.
In the end, this isn’t just a story about one journalist versus the NFL; it’s about what happens when someone takes on a billion-dollar industry and, rather than just scoring a settlement, uses it to change the game for others. Trotter might not be suiting up on Sundays, but he’s definitely making some moves that’ll have a lasting impact. For future HBCU journalists, the opportunity to “Work, Plan, Pray” isn’t just a motto anymore—it’s their playbook.
