Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis files racial discrimination suit
By The Associated Press - Aug. 20, 2020 06:11 PM EDT
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis watches the Steelers play against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, in Pittsburgh. The Hall of Fame running back has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against a Pittsburgh company he had promoted for its commitment to diversity. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 15, 2019, file photo, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis watches the Steelers play against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, in Pittsburgh. The Hall of Fame running back has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against a Pittsburgh company he had promoted for its commitment to diversity. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against a Pittsburgh company he had promoted for its commitment to diversity.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Pennsylvania, western district. It cites breach of contract and seeks $66 million in damages.

The former Steelers star and Super Bowl winner contends EQT Production Company, an energy corporation, owes Bettis' IntegrServ trucking company money and dropped its commitment to use minority-owned businesses. Bettis and brother John own 51% of IntegrServ.

EQT has denied wrongdoing, alleging IntegrServ mismanaged its part of the contract.

“Especially in times like these, we had to file the lawsuit because everyone deserves to be treated fairly and that simply didn’t happen here," Bettis said.

According to the lawsuit, EQT agreed with two of Bettis’ white partners to supply services that were previously contracted to IntegrServ.

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