An investigation launched after a spectator at a Colorado Rockies game was heard shouting what sounded like racial slurs at a black Marlins player found that no racial epitaphs were yelled.
Fans and viewers at home believed that the spectator was yelling racial slurs at Lewis Brinson as the Marlins player took his turn at bat during the ninth inning of the game. Following the game, the Rockies announced that the organization had launched an investigation into the outburst and later clarified to local outlet 9News that the spectator had been yelling the name of the team’s mascot, Dinger.
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The Rockies told the outlet that the organization had spoken with the fan accused of the racial harassment and reviewed recordings from the local broadcast.
“After a thorough investigation that included calls, emails and video clips from concerned fans, media and broadcast partners, the Colorado Rockies have concluded that the fan was indeed yelling for Rockies mascot Dinger in hopes of getting his attention for a photo, and there was never any racial slur that occurred,” the team said in a statement on Monday.
“The Rockies remain dedicated to provided an inclusive environment for all fans, players and guests and Coors Field, and any fan using derogatory language of any kind will be ejected from Coors Field,” the team added.
An update from the Colorado Rockies regarding the incident at the end of yesterday’s game: pic.twitter.com/4cCS8peKnU
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 9, 2021
The shouts were loud enough to be picked up by broadcast microphones near home plate and were noticed by viewers watching the game on television.
During the game, Brinson did not appear to recognize or react to the fan’s shouts and remained silent on the incident.
A representative for the Marlins confirmed afterward that the team and Brinson were aware of the clip but stated they have nothing to do with the subsequent investigations.
“Neither Lewis nor any other Marlins on the field or in the dugout heard what was shouted,” Marlins spokesman Jason Latimer told the Associated Press. “We brought the matter to the attention of the Rockies. How the matter is being handled, I would have to defer to them.”
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The Rockies went on to win the game, with a final score of 13-8.
