#Reds ‘devastated’ by Thom Brennaman’s homophobic slur

It didn’t take long for the Cincinnati Reds to suspend announcer Thom Brennaman, who made a homophobic slur on a hot mic during the Reds’ doubleheader against the Royals on Wednesday night.

“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 broadcast.”

Earlier, during the first game of the doubleheader, Brennaman, who works for Fox Sports Ohio, said over the hot mic “One of the f-g capitals of the world,” before reading a promo, apparently not realizing he was on air the entire time.

The 56-year-old delivered an on-camera apology during the second game of the doubleheader, acknowledging that his broadcasting career may be over and then was pulled from the booth. Fox Sports Ohio announcer Jim Day took over the broadcast.

“I made a comment earlier tonight that, I guess, went out over the air, that I am deeply ashamed of,” Brennaman said during the fifth inning. “If I have hurt anyone out there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart, I am so very, very sorry.

The Reds also said they will address the team’s broadcasting situation in the “coming days”, and that Brennaman’s comment does not represent the organization and the team has a “zero-tolerance” policy for views like it and apologized “for anyone who has been offended.”

“In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization or our fans,” the statement read. “We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country and beyond.”