KANSAS CITY, Mon. (AP) – Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was suspended from working on Cincinnati’s Games after using an anti-gay slur in the air Wednesday night, prompting the team to vote for the ” terrible homophobic remark “sorry.
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 on the air. He later apologized.
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 immediately banned from Reds shows. We will contact our radio team in the coming days. ”
“This incident in no way represents our players, coaches, organization or our fans. We sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ + community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, across the country and beyond. The Reds are in favor of a zero tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind and we are really sorry if someone has been offended, ”it said.
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.
Reds Reliever Amir Garrett tweeted about Brennaman’s words shortly after the end of the second game:
“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.”
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.
“I can’t tell you how sorry I am,” said Brennaman. “That’s not who I am and never was. I like to think that maybe I could have some people who can support this. I am very, very sorry and ask for 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.
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