NFL wanted Bills-Bengals to resume after Damar Hamlin’s on-field cardiac arrest, journalist forced not to report

The football world was witness to a horrifying incident earlier this year. During the week 17 game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest during the game. Damar Hamlin collapsed on the ground after trying to tackle Bengals’ WR Tee Higgins. The NFL cancelled the game after the incident.

However, claims of trying to continue the Bills-Bengals game have surfaced in a lawsuit brought by former NFL Network writer Jim Trotter. In the lawsuit, Trotter also alleges that the NFL tries to gain control over the media to the point where the league “throttles content that is critical of the NFL.”

“In the days that followed, Mr. Trotter learned that the teams were in fact instructed that play would resume after a five-minute warm-up, explaining why the players had been doing so,” the lawsuit alleges. “This decision, Mr. Trotter and other reporters learned, came from the NFL league office not from the officials on the field.”

The suit further detailed, “This directive was uncovered by several reporters and was widely reported in the media in the days that followed. However, the NFL staunchly denied these claims, as reflected in the various articles. Mr. Trotter, for his part, investigated further. He received confirmation from multiple sources refuting the NFL’s version and its denial.”

Trotter also said that he reached out to the NFL’s Vice President of Communications, Brian McCarthy, to seek clarification on the NFL official who informed the teams to resume play, but McCarthy refused to do so. After pushing McCarthy for some information, Trotter was told by the VP ‘I will call your supervisor if you don’t let this go.’ This incident suggests that the NFL tries to control the NFL Media and succeeds more often than not.

Related: Antonio Brown reportedly THREATENED his fellow teammates with a gun a few years ago

Jim Trotter sued the NFL for racial discrimination

Jim Trotter, a former NFL Network journalist, sued the NFL on Tuesday for racial discrimination. He was with the NFL for five years and during his time with the NFL, he repeatedly spoke about the NFL’s diversity issues. His contract was not renewed after he asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about NFL Network’s lack of black executives.

“The NFL has claimed it wants to be held accountable regarding diversity, equity and inclusion,” Trotter said in his 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.”

The NFL released a statement saying, “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.”

In case you missed it:

• “Cowboys will never win s**t!” Mark Schlereth launches a verbal assault on Jerry Jones following Trey Lance’s trade
• Cowboys QB Dak Prescott believes the team’s offense is ‘loaded’ with speedy playmakers

Do follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW