Veteran baseball announcer Thom Brennaman resigns after using disgusting homophobic slur live on air
Cincinnati Reds television broadcaster Thom Brennaman. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Baseball announcer Thom Brennaman has resigned after using a disgusting homophobic slur live on air when he thought his microphone was turned off.
Brennaman, who has been commentating on Major League Baseball games for over 30 years, was suspended in August after referring to Kansas City as “one of the fag capitals of the world”.
The 56-year-old used the slur after the Fox Sports Ohio feed returned from the break before the top of the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader at Kansas City, ESPN reported.
Brennaman was swiftly suspended and taken off the feed in the fifth inning of the second game – handing over to fellow play-by-play man Jim Day – before apologising.
He later issued an extensive statement of apology claiming he realised the full impact of the hateful word he so casually used.
“I used a word that is both offensive and insulting,” he said. “In the past 24 hours, I have read about its history; I had no idea it was so rooted in hate and violence and am particularly ashamed that I, someone who makes his living by the use of words, could be so careless and insensitive.”
Cincinnati Reds CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement: “The Reds respect Thom Brennaman’s decision to step away from the broadcast booth and applaud his heartfelt efforts of reconciliation with the LGBTQ+ community.
“The Brennaman family has been an intrinsic part of the Reds history for nearly 50 years.
“We sincerely thank Thom for bringing the excitement of Reds baseball to millions of fans during his years in the booth… He is a fantastic talent and a good man who remains part of the Reds family forever. We wish him well.”
From this big ole lesbian, apology not accepted, Thom ? and he’s disqualified from being a “good man.” Sorry but there’s no reconciliation between the LGBTQ+ community and anyone who uses those words/has those beliefs. Good riddance, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out ??
— Megan Wilhoite (@MeganWilhoite) September 25, 2020
Some fans, however, insisted they were not ready to forgive him.
One Twitter user sent a message to Brennaman: “From this big ole lesbian, apology not accepted, Thom… Sorry but there’s no reconciliation between the LGBTQ+ community and anyone who uses those words/has those beliefs.
“Good riddance, don’t let the door hit ya on the way out.”
