MLB's Cincinnati Reds have suspended longtime announcer Thom Brennaman after he made a "horrific" homophobic slur on a live broadcast during a doubleheader with the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.
Brennaman was pulled off air after he was caught on a hot mic saying "one of the f** capitals of the world," Fox News reported. The Reds have apologized to LGBTQ communities across the country.
The remark was made after a break in the broadcast and when it resumed, Brennaman didn't realize he was on the air.
"The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman," the club 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 the 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."
Brennaman issued an apology during the second game of the doubleheader.
"I made a comment earlier tonight that I guess went out over the air that I am deeply ashamed of. If I've hurt anyone out there, I can't tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart, I'm so very, very sorry," Brennaman said, according to Fox 19.
"I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith. … I don't know if I'll be putting on this headset again. I don't know if it's going to be for the Reds. I don't know if it's going to be for my bosses at Fox. I apologize for the people who sign my paycheck for the Reds, for Fox Sports Ohio, and for the people I work with, and anybody I've offended here tonight."
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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