Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN/AP) - Buffalo Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula vehemently denies making a racist statement attributed to him in a lawsuit filed by a former NFL.com columnist.
The lawsuit was filed by Jim Trotter, whose contract was recently allowed to expire with NFL Media. A court document say Trotter claimed Pegula, while discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, said, "If the Black players don't like it here, they should go back to Africa and see how bad it is."
Trotter also claims Pegula suggested the NFL hire a Black spokesperson to address the league's image in the midst of Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the National Anthem.
Trotter said the concerns he raised with league executives, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, regarding these comments and the lack of diversity among NFL Media employees fell on deaf ears.
“The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. I tried to do so, and it cost me my job,” Trotter said in a statement released by his law firm, Wigdor. “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.”
Pegula issued the following statement on Tuesday, denying the allegation against him:
"The statement attributed to me in Mr. Trotter's complaint is absolutely false. 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 the complaint."
The NFL has also responded to the lawsuit in a statement on Tuesday, claiming Trotter's contract was allowed to expire because the league website could no longer afford to keep him on staff.
"We share Jim Trotter's passion for quality journalism created in and supported by a diverse and inclusive environment," read the statement from league spokesman, Brian McCarthy. "We take his concerns seriously, but strongly dispute his specific allegations, particularly those made against his dedicated colleagues at NFL Media.
"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.'"
Trotter said he was subjected to discrimination on the basis of his race. He alleges the NFL fostered and condoned a hostile work environment by terminating him.
He is seeking to have a court-ordered monitor put in place to investigate and review the NFL’s policies and implement necessary changes on its hiring, retention and advancement of Black employees throughout its organization.