Brennaman apologised later on in the broadcast. Photo / Screenshot
Brennaman apologised later on in the broadcast. Photo / Screenshot
Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman has been suspended from working Cincinnati's games after using an anti-gay slur on air, prompting the team to apologise for the "horrific, homophobic remark."
Brennaman used the slur moments after the Fox Sports Ohio feed returned from a commercial break before the top of the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader at Kansas City. Brennaman did not seem to realise he was already on air. He later apologised.
The Reds took the 56-year-old Brennaman off the broadcast in the fifth inning of the second game.
"The Cincinnati Reds organisation is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman," the team said in a statement. "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 opened the fifth inning with an apology spoken directly to camera before handing off play-by-play duties.
"I made a comment earlier tonight that I guess went out over the air that I am deeply ashamed of," he said. "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."
After pausing to announce a home run by Cincinnati's Nick Castellanos, Brennaman added: "I don't know if I'm going to be putting on this headset again" and apologised to the Reds, Fox Sports and his coworkers.
Cincinnati Reds commentator Thom Brennaman has been suspended for saying a homophobic word on-air. Photo / AP
Reds reliever Amir Garrett tweeted out Brennaman's words shortly after the end of the second game:
"To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me," he wrote. "I'm sorry for what was said today."
"LGBTQ+ community, as a member of the Reds organisation, I am so sorry for the way you were marginalised tonight," injured Reds reliever Matt Bowman said on Twitter. "There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here."
Observers on Twitter also called for the Reds to make Brenneman's banishment permanent.
Sorry but the hot mic defense for Thom Brenneman ain’t gonna cut it. You can’t drop that F-word at your workplace in 2020 and expect no consequences.
There are dozens -- scores -- of broadcasters who have been idled due to the lack of a minor league season who would do a better job than Thom Brennaman even before you acknowledge that he's a homophobic piece of crap. Fire him and hire one of them, @FOXSportsCincy
Brennaman and the Reds announcers were working from Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, even though the doubleheader against the Royals was in Kansas City. Remote broadcasts have become the norm in the baseball this year because of coronavirus protocols.
The son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, Thom has called major league games for 33 years and has been with Fox Sports for the past 27, covering primarily baseball and football.
"I can't begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am," Brennaman said. "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."
Broadcast partner Chris Welsh told Brennaman "You're a good man, partner. Hang in there."
Alternate play-by-play man Jim Day took over the broadcast.
