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Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman has been suspended after an on-air homophobic arc

Kansas City, Missouri – Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was banned from working on Cincinnati’s Games after using an anti-gay slur in the air on Wednesday night, prompting the team to apologize for the “terrible homophobic remark”.

Brennaman took advantage of the bow after the Fox Sports Ohio feed returned after a commercial break prior to the seventh inning in the first game of a double header in Kansas City. Brennaman didn’t seem to notice that he was already in the air. He later apologized.

CBSSports.com’s Matt Snyder reports that videos of his comment quickly spread on social media.

The Reds took the 56-year-old Brennaman off the air in the fifth inning of the second game.

“The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made by broadcaster Thom Brennaman tonight,” the team said in a statement. “He was pulled out of the air and banned from Reds broadcasts with immediate effect. We will contact our radio team in the coming days.”

Reds Brennaman Gay Slur Baseball
The September 2019 file photo shows Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman at an external announcement booth ahead of the Reds’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Cincinnati.

John Minchillo / AP


“This incident in no way represents our players, coaches, organizations or fans. We sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ + community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, across the country and beyond. The Reds have a zero tolerance policy for bias or bias.” Discrimination of any kind and we are really sorry for anyone who has been offended, “it said.

There was not a word about the length of the exposure.

Brennaman opened the fifth inning with an apology spoken directly to the camera before giving up assignments for the game.

“I made a comment this evening that was probably airborne that I am deeply ashamed of,” he said. “When I’ve hurt someone out there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart, I’m very, very sorry.”

After pausing to announce a home game for Cincinnati’s Nick Castellanos, Brennaman added, “I don’t know if I’ll be putting this headset back on,” and apologized to the Reds, Fox Sports and its staff.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” said Brennaman. “That’s not who I am and never has been. I like to think that maybe I could have some people who can support this. I’m very, very sorry and I ask for your forgiveness.”

Sending partner Chris Welsh said to Brennaman, “You are a good man, partner. Hold on.”

The alternate player Jim Day took over the show.

Red’s reliever Amir Garrett tweeted about Brennaman’s words shortly after the second game ended:

“For the LGBTQ community, you just know that I’m with you and whoever is against you is against me,” he wrote. “I’m sorry for what was said today.”

“I’m so sorry for the LGBTQ + community as a member of the Reds organization that you were sidelined tonight,” said injured Reds aide Matt Bowman on Twitter. “There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are very happy to have you here.”

Brennaman and the Reds announcers worked out of the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, even though the double header was against the Royals in Kansas City. Remote broadcasting has become the norm in baseball this year due to coronavirus protocols.

The son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, Thom has played Major League Games for 33 years and has been with Fox Sports for 27 years, mostly baseball and soccer.

CBSSports.com’s Snyder notes that earlier in the day the Reds announced that the older Brennaman would be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame next year.

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