The seventh inning of the first game of the doubleheader between Cincinnati and Kansas City was barely going to be played, when after a commercial break from the television broadcast the audience witnessed an unfortunate event. Unaware they were on the air, Reds’ chronicler Thom Brennaman launched some homophobic slurs.
The announcer remained in the booth for the rest of the game and it was not until the fifth inning of the second game that before leaving the broadcast, he apologized for the anti-gay insult in full broadcast.
I made a comment early tonight that I assume aired that I am deeply ashamed of. If I have hurt someone, I cannot tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart, I am very, very sorry.
Brennaman expressed during the broadcast on Fox Sports Ohio, the network in charge of the Reds games. Notably sorry for what he said, the narrator continued with his apology:
I don’t know if I’m going to wear these headphones again. I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am. That is not what I am and I never have been. I like to think that maybe I could have some people who can back that up. I am very, very sorry and I apologize.
At the end of the doubleheader on Wednesday, the Reds’ board announced the immediate suspension of the chronicler, a decision supported by Fox Sports, arguing that Brennaman’s insult was of the type: hateful, offensive and in no way reflects the values of the sports channel of TV.
Statement from FOX Sports Ohio:
The language that Thom Brennaman used this evening is hateful, offensive, and in no way reflects the values of FOX Sports Ohio. We agree with the @Reds decision to suspend him until further notice. https://t.co/kL966OW6Gt— FOX Sports Cincinnati (@FOXSportsCincy)
August 20, 2020
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