Jim Trotter alleges NFL racial discrimination. His claims are huge problem for the league.

If what Jim Trotter, former journalist for the NFL Network who is now suing the league for discrimination, says is true, he offers one of the greatest windows into what some in the league really think about its Black players.

If what Trotter says is true, he is pulling back the curtain on what is guttural, old school racism behind the scenes in the NFL, the kind of things that Bull Connor used to say while Black kids were trying to desegregate schools in 1950s Alabama. Trotter in his lawsuit recounts some of the most racist language you will hear except, as he alleges, it's coming from NFL owners.

Not the Klan.

Not neo-Nazis.

Not Bull Connor.

But allegedly at least one NFL owner.

In the lawsuit, Trotter says that in 2020, while on a Zoom call "with many members of NFL Media in attendance," a reporter conveyed that during a conversation with Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula, that Pegula stated: "If the Black players don’t like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is." Trotter says he complained about Pegula's alleged remarks to his supervisors but no remedial action was taken.

"This remark was so offensive and racist that the people in the meeting appeared to be frozen, unsure how to even react," Trotter said in the lawsuit.

Pegula told the Buffalo News on Tuesday the remark attributed to him was "absolutely false." The newspaper also said, citing a league source, that the alleged comment was investigated. The NFL, the Buffalo News said, interviewed Terry as well as his wife, co-owner Kim Pegula. Both denied the statement and the News said every other person at the dinner where this conversation allegedly took place also denied that it was said.

"I am horrified that anyone would connect me to an allegation of this kind. Racism has no place in our society and I am personally disgusted that my name is associated with this complaint," he said.

Trotter said he followed up repeatedly to see if disciplinary action would be taken against Pegula but, according to Trotter, nothing happened. The lawsuit says Trotter's former boss said he was told by the league office it was a human resources matter.

"So we are sweeping this under the rug?" Trotter said, according to the lawsuit.

I'm not certain if Pegula made the remark or not, but I am certain of two things: I trust Jim Trotter. I do not trust the NFL investigating itself.

The NFL looking into the matter means absolutely nothing. The league has a long, sordid track record of investigating itself, checking its own notes, and declaring itself in the clear.

If the NFL was serious about finding out the truth, it would work with the union in hiring a truly independent investigator to examine Trotter's claims. All of them. Every single one. That's because Trotter's accusations aren't insignificant. They are frightening and should cause everyone in the NFL (and not just people of color) to want to find out the truth.

There's also another problematic example about Pegula noted in the lawsuit. It alleges that in 2017, as owners met to deal with the fallout of the league protests started by Colin Kaepernick, and his subsequent inability to sign with a new team, Pegula said something, well, awkward.

"For us to have a face, as an African American, at least a face that could be in the media, we could fall in behind that," the lawsuit states Pegula said.

ESPN had previously reported on part of this exchange. From the 2017 story: "The meeting was going so well that even the unintentionally awkward moments were forgiven. At one point, Buffalo Bills co-owner Terry Pegula, moved by Anquan Boldin's story about his cousin being shot and killed by a police officer, complimented him on how impressive he was but kept calling him 'Antwan.' Then Pegula suggested that Boldin would be the perfect NFL spokesman on social issues not only because he had walked away from the game to pursue causes but because, the owner said, it couldn't be a 'white owner but needs to be someone who's Black.'"

"Some people quickly glanced at one another; others looked down, cringing," ESPN reported.

The lawsuit cites another problematic example, this one from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Trotter says he asked Jones about the lack of Black personnel in decision-making positions on NFL teams. Trotter says in the lawsuit that Jones responded: “If Blacks feel some kind of way, they should buy their own team and hire who they want to hire.”

Jones on Tuesday denied making this statement. "Diversity and inclusion are extremely important to me personally and the NFL," Jones said. "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."

(If the incident did happen, it wasn't over three years ago, it was August of 2021.)

This story is bigger than anything to do with Aaron Rodgers' Achilles or Kansas City losing in Week 1. What Trotter alleges goes to the heart of what the NFL stands for, what it believes, what it will tolerate. It also shows what some owners say publicly can differ from what they, such as allegedly in the case of Pegula, think privately.

After police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted in 2021 for murdering George Floyd, the Pegulas released a statement: “Today’s verdict brings accountability for the senseless murder of George Floyd, but the fight to end racism and hate in our country continues. There is so much more work to be done. Our organizations are continuously learning how to be a productive part of the movement against racial injustices. We urge everyone to focus on love and equality to peacefully make change.”

Journalist sues NFL, alleging discrimination and racially charged statements by NFL owners

Publicly, put "End Racism" signs in the end zone, and state how much we need to come together following the murder of Floyd. Privately, and allegedly, tell players to go back to Africa.

"The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity and inclusion," Trotter said in a statement. "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."

"I hope this lawsuit leads to real change across the league and in the newsroom," he added. "It is on the backs of a majority black player population that owners have made billions and those players deserve to have someone who shares their cultural and life experiences at the table when decisions are being made about how they are being covered."

Trotter's allegations aren't totally shocking but that's not the point. It's that Trotter, quite bravely, is giving us another data point, another measure of the NFL's sincerity on making its promise to diversify itself. If even a small number of owners aren't genuinely committed to this pursuit, it simply cannot work.

Trotter's lawsuit is disturbing on many other levels. He alleges that after publicly challenging Commissioner Roger Goodell in February of 2023 about the lack of people of color in the NFL and the NFL Media newsroom, he was asked to confirm whether he was “in alignment” with the league. Trotter says in the suit that he explained that no, he was not “in alignment.” He was eventually told by the league that it would not be renewing his contract.

“We share Jim Trotter’s passion for quality journalism created in and supported by a diverse and inclusive environment. We take his concerns seriously, but strongly dispute his specific allegations, particularly those made against his dedicated colleagues at NFL Media.," the league said in a statement. "Mr. Trotter’s departure from NFL Media was one of many difficult decisions – similar to decisions recently made by many other media organizations -- to address a challenging economy and a changing media environment. Jim was one of many employees who were unfortunately affected by these business decisions. We appreciate Jim’s five years of service at NFL Media and wish him much success in his new role. The NFL has made significant strides in improving diversity and inclusion and, while we acknowledge there is always more work to be done, we are committed to continuing that progress.”

Are they though? The lawsuit from Trotter may show just how far the NFL has to go.

How shockingly far.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL racism lawsuit filed by Jim Trotter needs independent investigator