Reds Announcer Thom Brennaman Dropped from 'NFL on FOX' Over Homophobic Slur
Reds Announcer Thom Brennaman Dropped from 'NFL on FOX' ... Over Homophobic Slur
UPDATE
12:56 PM PT -- 8/20 FOX Sports issued a statement saying Brennaman has been scrapped from the "NFL on FOX" schedule for the 2020 season in the wake of his homophobic comments during an MLB broadcast.
UPDATE
"FOX Sports is extremely disappointed with Thom’s remarks during Wednesday’s Cincinnati Reds telecast,” the network said.
UPDATE
"The language used was abhorrent, unacceptable, and not representative of the values of FOX Sports. As it relates to Brennaman’s FOX NFL role, we are moving forward with our NFL schedule which will not include him."
UPDATE
5:40 AM PT -- 8/20 -- The fallout continues for Reds play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman -- who's now just lost his job calling NFL games.
UPDATE
Reds players are speaking out about the incident -- including pitcher Matt Bowman, who is apologizing to the LGBTQ+ community for Brenneman's words.
UPDATE
"As a member of the Reds organization, I am so sorry for the way you were marginalized tonight. There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here."
UPDATE
Pitcher Amir Garrett also weighed in ... saying, "To the LGBTQ community just know that I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me. I'm sorry for what was said tonight."
UPDATE
9:20 PM PT -- The Reds have suspended Thom Brennaman following his use of a homophobic slur on-air, the team announced.
UPDATE
"The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by Thom Brennaman. He was pulled off the air, and effective immediately was suspended from doing Reds broadcasts."
UPDATE
"We will be addressing our broadcasting team in the coming days."
UPDATE
6:32 PM PT -- Brennaman just apologized for his language on-air while calling a home run at the same time.
UPDATE
Seriously.
UPDATE
Thom’s apology pic.twitter.com/uyzrQ27sxj
— Joe Kinsey (@JoeKinseyexp) August 20, 2020 @JoeKinseyexp
UPDATE
During his apology, Brenneman acknowledged he'll probably be fired for the incident -- saying, "I don't know if I'm gonna be putting on this headset again."
Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman uttered an offensive, homophobic slur while calling the Reds game Wednesday ... apparently not realizing his microphone was on.
Brennaman -- who was announcing a doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals -- was heard referring to a city as "one of the f** capitals of the world."
Longtime Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman was caught on a hot mic saying “one of the fag capitals of the world.” He is currently announcing the second game of the Reds’ doubleheader against Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/Uwz07eRIKv
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 20, 2020 @JeffPassan
Seconds later he snapped back into announcer mode and read a promo for the Reds Live Pregame Show ... as if nothing had happened.
But, viewers were SHOCKED ... and the clip went viral on social media in a matter of minutes.
56-year-old Brennaman has been calling MLB games since the '90s and has been the featured play-by-play broadcaster for major events like the BCS National Championship Game, the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, the 2008 Sugar Bowl ... even the 2011 Pro Bowl.
He's been working with the Reds since 2006.
Originally Published -- 8/19 5:53 PM PT
