Reds Announcer Thom Brennaman Suspended After Using Anti-Gay Slur On Air

During the Red’s second game of a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals broadcast announcer, Thom Brennaman was caught using a homophobic slur live on air. Brennaman was immediately pulled off the air and the team announced that they had suspended him immediately leaving his future with the team very dubious. “The Cincinnati Reds organization 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.”

After the release of this statement, Brennaman released an apology, “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 the same, several Reds’ players took to Twitter to express their outrage at the comments and their support of the LGBT community, most notably Reds’ reliever Amir Garrett saying, “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.”

“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.”

Article by Nico Ribadeneyra