LOS ANGELES – Thom Brennaman is not going to be calling NFL video games on Fox after utilizing an anti-gay slur on air throughout a Cincinnati Reds broadcast.
Fox Sports activities issued a press release Thursday that stated “we’re transferring ahead with our NFL schedule which is not going to embody him.” Fox additionally stated Brennaman’s remarks had been “abhorrent, unacceptable, and never consultant of the values of Fox Sports activities.”
Brennaman had been part of Fox’s NFL announcer lineup because it began televising the league in 1994. He was a part of the No. three announcer workforce final season and was paired with analyst Chris Spielman and reporter Shannon Spake. He had additionally known as Main League Baseball video games for the community from 1996 to 2014.
The Reds introduced late Wednesday that the 56-year previous broadcaster was suspended. The workforce additionally issued an apology for the “horrific, homophobic comment.” The Reds closed their assertion by saying they’d be addressing their broadcasting workforce for the rest of the season and presumably past within the coming days.
Brennaman, who had been part of the Reds asserting workforce since 2007, used the slur moments after Fox Sports activities Ohio’s feed returned from a business break earlier than the highest of the seventh inning within the first sport of a doubleheader Wednesday at Kansas Metropolis. Brennaman didn’t appear to appreciate he was already on air. The remarks prompted a firestorm on social media.
Brennaman opened the fifth inning of the second sport with an apology spoken on to the digital camera earlier than handing off play-by-play duties to Jim Day.
He famous the difficulty he was in by saying, “I don’t know if I’m going to be placing on this headset once more” whereas apologizing to the Reds, Fox Sports activities and his coworkers.
In a chunk revealed by The Cincinnati Enquirer on Thursday, Brennaman wrote: “I might to attempt to clarify it or let you know about who I’m and what I imagine, however these issues would all be excuses. The easy reality is, what I stated was flawed.”
“To the LGBTQ+ group — I’m actually and deeply sorry. It is best to by no means be denigrated with crude and hateful language. I failed you, and I can not say sufficient how sorry I’m.”
Billy Bean, MLB’s ambassador for inclusion, praised the Reds’ swift motion to droop Brennaman.
“The unlucky occasion that occurred final night time in Cincinnati was disheartening. The Reds’ quick response and assertion are a strong instance of MLB’s zero-tolerance coverage for harassment, discrimination, or bias towards the LGBTQ+ group or any individual at any time,” he stated.
“There isn’t any doubt the place MLB stands in regard to respect and acceptance for our gamers, coaches, staff, followers, and our tv viewers,” he stated. “Final night time is a tough reminder that there’s nonetheless a lot work to do. We are going to pause for a second, and make the most of this incident as a studying alternative for each certainly one of our stakeholders.”
Despite the fact that most regional networks nonetheless carry the Fox Sports activities title, they aren’t owned by Fox. Sinclair Broadcast Group purchased them in 2019.
The Reds announcers had been working from Nice American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Groups will not be sending announcers to street video games this season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The son of Corridor of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, Thom has known as main league video games for 33 years and has been with Fox Sports activities for the previous 27, overlaying primarily baseball and soccer.
Marty Brennaman informed the Enquirer on Wednesday night time, “As a dad, I damage for him,. What he stated will not be a mirrored image of who Thom Brennaman is. I do know that’s not him. However I additionally really feel horrible for the individuals the remark offended.”