nfreeman

Well, the statement was allegedly made sometime in 2018 and the complaint with the NFL was filed, and the investigation made, after the September 2020 zoom call. Also, it looks like Trotter is the one who complained to the NFL about this -- not the unnamed person who allegedly heard TP say this. So when the unnamed person told the story on the zoom call, anywhere from 1.75 to 2.75 years had elapsed since the dinner. A lot can happen to memories, and stories, and agendas, in that length of time. And certainly an exaggerated or misremembered story can be repeated and further spun or distorted by someone who hears it and is PO'd by it. Speaking only for myself, I'd like to know whether TP said this.

From The Buffalo News today:

First bolded — I don’t agree that it’s not advisable for someone who believes himself falsely accused of terrible conduct to react with outrage. Frankly in this context I think the statement is fairly measured. 2nd bolded — how so? I assume you saw the words “if he didn’t say it” in my post?

I'm sure Trotter's group can do so, since they know who it is. The fact that they chose not to do so could mean plenty of different things -- e.g. that they were trying to protect someone credible and respected from a poopstorm, or alternatively that upon questioning, that person's lack of credibility would be immediately apparent, or a bunch of other possibilities. Perhaps you missed my response to you in which I commended your clarification on "NFL Media" and pointed out that plenty of sports media people -- like Trotter -- have gone back and forth between independent media sources and "in-house" -- and noted that in the 3 years since the alleged zoom meeting occurred, plenty of the 40 NFL Media people who allegedly attended the zoom meeting may have gone independent. As for what may have been made up -- it's quite possible that something was repeated, exaggerated, mis-attributed, etc. -- and then spun into a baseless accusation of terrible conduct in a lawsuit. It wouldn't be the first time. I agree with your breakdown of "The statement attributed to me in Mr. Trotter's complaint is absolutely false" -- but I would be shocked if the intended meaning was anything other than "I didn't say it." I don't agree with your criticism of the rest of the statement. People are allowed to be outraged, shocked, horrified, disgusted etc. at being falsely accused of terrible conduct. This is why, if he didn't say it, I think TP should sue Trotter for every dime he has -- even if it doesn't survive a motion to dismiss, he should make Trotter bleed legal fees for smearing him like this.

I'm not saying it's proof of falsehood, but it's an indicator IMHO. It just seems highly likely that something that explosive would've gotten out during the past 3 full years. As for people being afraid of crossing the NFL -- I'm sure that's true for some, but there are plenty of NFL critics in sports media. Bill Simmons called Roger Goodell a liar on his podcast and has had maybe the best and most successful career of all time in sports media (although to be fair, he did get suspended by ESPN for doing so). And there have been about a million articles/videos by sports media people criticizing the NFL for concussions, Colin Kaepernick, etc.

Now this is a fair clarification. However, it’s also fair to point out that, like Trotter, plenty of these guys go back and forth between independent media gigs and working “in house.” It’s highly likely that quite a few of the 40 NFL media members who were allegedly present on the zoom call in September 2020 have since gone independent. Some of those people would presumably have spilled the beans about TP’s alleged statement. Of course, we don’t know who was at the meeting, and those people can’t be asked about it, since they weren’t identified in the complaint.

Jeez. I think as stated it is a fact, but if you don’t, I’ll re-submit it thusly: the complaint doesn’t mention a recording of either conversation, and I am not aware of any reporting stating that a recording exists.

The complaint doesn’t mention a recording of the Jerry Jones stuff, so I assume there isn’t one. On the other hand, at least Trotter was the person that Jones allegedly spoke with, so there isn’t an unidentified third party in the middle, as there is with TP.

In case anyone is interested, the complaint is here: https://www.wigdorlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Trotter-Complaint.pdf The TP stuff is on pp. 31-32. Some facts: - Trotter was working for NFL Network and his contract wasn't renewed. - He hired a major employment law firm to bring this case. - Trotter alleges that he attended a zoom meeting with about 40 media members in September 2020. At that meeting, an unnamed media member allegedly told the group that TP, in an interview with him, made the "go back to Africa" statement. - So Trotter didn't hear TP say this -- he allegedly heard someone else, who isn't identified in the complaint, say it -- but none of the 40 media members who allegedly heard this story reported it. - There does not appear to be a recording of the zoom meeting or of the alleged interview with TP.

Happy belated birthday sir!

I'm predicting a heaping plate of Donnie Meatballs magic. Strong 200-foot play with Krebsie and VO, plus some garbage goals in front and good PK work. He'll be valuable.

I'm a Joki believer. Option 3.

Interesting. I did not know that. Thanks. Does the privilege continue even if the pleadings are made public?

If it’s false TP should sue for defamation.

IMHO, this game came down to JA playing terribly. Good NFL teams are built around their QBs. They aren’t built to win when their QB stinks that badly. I don’t think this is the new normal for JA though.

All they had to do was be reasonably professional and execute their way to a road divisional W, and JA completely crapped the bed.

Freaking terrible. This one is on JA.

Come on! FFS.

Need to score on this drive.

But wasn't the 1st one on 3rd down?

JFC. Both of those picks on totally unnecessary forced deep throws into double coverage in the middle of the field!

Holy mackerel I am psyched for this game.

Hey-ey-ey-ey!

Totally agree with this -- suggesting a Carbonneau-level ceiling for Krebs would be unfair (same goes for Toews). But there are potential similarities in the role, the physical build, the speed, the toolbox, the potential value to the team, etc.

Carbonneau was a great player and a very interesting comparable. I've been thinking Mike Peca or a poor man's Jonathan Toews, FWIW.