The longtime play-by-play man for the Cincinnati Reds was caught on a hot mic uttering a homophobic slur during a live broadcast Wednesday, according to video of the incident that was uploaded on social media.
“One of the fg capitals of the world,” Thom Brennaman could be heard saying before introducing the TV show Fox Sports Ohio between the Reds and Royals in Kansas City.
The 56-year-old later released the second match of the planned doubleheader, after videos of the slur made the rounds on social media.
“I made a remark earlier in the evening that, I think, went up in the air, that I was deeply ashamed,” Brennaman said during the fifth inning. ‘If I hurt anyone, I can not tell you how much I said from the bottom of my heart, I’m so sorry, very sorry. I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith. … I do not know if I will put this headset back on. I do not know if it will be for the Reds, I do not know if it will be for my bosses at FOX, I want to apologize to the people who sign my salary – for the Reds, for FOX Sports Ohio, for the people with whom I work, for everyone I touched last night. I can not begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am. That’s not who I am, it never has been. I would like to thank you that I have some people who can secure that. I’m very, very sorry and I beg for your forgiveness.
“Jim Day will take you the rest of the way,” Brennaman said, referring to another Fox Sports Ohio broadcaster.
WARNING: This video contains graphic language
It was unclear whether Brennaman was removed from the broadcast, or if he left on his own.
The Reds did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brennaman is the son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, and has been called Reds game since 2006.
The doubleheader marked Cincinnati’s first game since an unidentified player tested positive for the coronavirus last week, causing three delays.
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