Photo Courtesy of workplanprayfoundation.org
By Julio Rodriguez
Former San Diego Union and Sports Illustrated NFL writer Jim Trotter may not have slain Goliath, but he did bring a giant to its knees. The NFL cried “uncle.”
The Chula Vista-based journalist sued the NFL over its lack of Black communications professions in its public relations center called NFL Newsroom. Trotter announced recently that he and the NFL had agreed to resolve his lawsuit. Trotter said the NFL agreed to make a sizable donation to Trotter’s new foundation, “Work, Plan, Pray.”
“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 the story, and how a story will be framed,” Trotter said.
Trotter’s foundation was named based on a favorite expression of legendary San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, “Work for today, plan for tomorrow, pray for the rest.”
Tension between Trotter and the NFL started two years ago at Commissioner Roger Goodell’s annual State of the League press conference prior to Super Bowl 56. Trotter questioned Goodell about the lack of Black professionals in senior and full-time news desk positions at NFL Media. Goodell avoided answering the question. Trotter pressed him again in 2023 with similar results. A month later, Trotter’s contract was not renewed by NFL Media, despite positive annual work reviews.
In September 2023, Trotter and his legal representatives at Wigdor LLP filed a 53-page motion claiming racial and discriminatory practices at NFL Media. Last May Judge Jed S. Rakoff allowed the lawsuit to move forward. The NFL decided to try to settle out of court, leading to the resolution.
Trotter’s new foundation’s stated goal resembles the same one Trotter set for his lawsuit — combating the lack of diversity in sports media and sports management. “Work, Plan, Pray” aims to do this by providing scholarships and resources to students attending HBCUs who are studying either sports journalism or sports management.
Trotter said he was once in the shoes of many young journalists. He is the son of a single mother who raised four children on a social worker’s salary. He attended Howard University and was able to complete his degree thanks to a scholarship that covered his final two years.
“Words seem insufficient when trying to thank @WigdorLaw
(Wigdor LLP), Sport For Impact, and LaChica Sports & Entertainment
for helping to get the non-profit
Work, Plan Pray Foundation up and running so quickly. They’re true MVPs!!” Trotter wrote on his social media, # PayItFoward.” (@JimTrotter_NFL)
When Trotter was the beat writer for the San Diego Chargers superstar Junior Seau took him under his wing. Seau showed Trotter the culture of a locker room and the mindset of an athlete. Seau committed suicide in 2012 after years of terrible suffering due to brain damage from CTE. To pay back his friend, Trotter said he wants to carry on Seau’s legacy of giving.’
“There is no better way to do it than by providing opportunity for others,” Trotter said.
