Thom Brennaman, a play-by-play broadcaster who calls NFL games on FOX, was heard using a homophobic slurs as he failed to realize he was on the air as he called up a football game. Cincinnati Reds Wednesday night. He was immediately suspended from his baseball job, but there was no immediate word on whether he will keep his soccer job.
Brennaman said the words “One of the FG capitals of the world” on the Reds’ show. He apparently thought the show was on a commercial break at the time, but it was live on air. Shortly thereafter, he apologized during the game, barely acknowledging a home run that was hit as he spoke.
“I made a comment earlier this evening which I guess was aired and which I’m deeply ashamed of,” Brennaman said on air. “If I hurt someone there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart that I am so sorry. I’m proud of myself and consider myself a man of faith because there is training in the deep left field from Castellanos, it will be a home run, and it will make it a 4-0 game. I don’t know if I’m going to put this helmet back on, I don’t know if it’s going to be for the Reds, I don’t know if it’s going to be for my bosses at FOX. I want to apologize to the people signing my paycheck, for the Reds, for FOX Sports Ohio, for the people I work with, for everyone I have offended here tonight. I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am. It’s not who I am, it never has been, and I’d like to think that maybe I could have some people who could support that. I am very sorry and I beg your pardon. Jim Day will take you the rest of the way home. “
With that, Brennaman left the pit before the end of the match. The Reds have announced that he is suspended for what the team have called “the horrific homophobic remark.” FOX did not comment.
