*The career of a longtime sportscaster came to an abrupt pause Wednesday night when a hot mic caught him using a gay slur during a game.
FOX Sports broadcaster Thom Brennaman, who’s been calling Cincinnati Reds games for more than 30 years, apologized Wednesday night after saying on air, “One of the f** capitals of the world.”
It remains unclear to what specifically he was referring. It came during the fourth inning of a game against the Kansas City Royals, as Brennaman was previewing the second game in the team’s double-header. He continued to call the game until the top of the fifth inning, when he was suspended by the Reds. He told viewers: “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 say from the bottom of my heart that I am very sorry.”
Later Brennaman said: “I don’t know if I am going to be putting on this headset again.”
Watch below:
Early Thursday, Brennaman apologized again in a longer statement:
“I would like to sincerely apologize for the inappropriate comments I made during last night’s telecast. I made a terrible mistake. To the LGBTQ community, and all people I have hurt or offended, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. I respectfully ask for your grace and forgiveness.”
The Reds issued the following statement late Wednesday night suspending him:
“The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman. 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.”
