Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman was suspended after he said an anti-gay slur that made it onto the broadcast.
Brennaman, 56, used the slur during a break in Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, but the broadcast had returned from its commercial break before the top of the seventh inning. The two teams played a doubleheader, and the commentator used the slur during the first game. He was taken off air during the second game.
“The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman,” the team said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. “He was pulled off the air, and effective immediately was suspended from doing Reds broadcasts. We will be addressing our broadcasting team in the coming days.”
“In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization, or our fans. We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country, and beyond. The Reds embrace a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind, and we are truly sorry to anyone who has been offended,” it said.
Brennaman addressed the comments before he was taken off the air.
“I made a comment earlier tonight that I guess went out over the air that I am deeply ashamed of. If I have hurt anyone out there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart, I am very, very sorry,” he stated. “I can’t begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am. That is not who I am and never has been. I like to think maybe I could have some people who can back that up. I am very, very sorry, and I beg for your forgiveness.”
Some Reds players took to social media to express their support for the gay and transgender community after the game.
