Thom Brennaman Suspended After Using Anti-Gay Slur On Air

Story has been updated to include that Brennaman will not be part of FOX’s NFL broadcasts this season.

Cincinnati Reds suspended broadcaster Thom Brennaman hours after he said an anti-gay slur on the air in the first half of a doubleheader on Aug. 19

The Reds said in a statement that Brennaman “was pulled off the air” and suspended “effective immediately.”

“We will be addressing our broadcasting team in the coming days,” the statement continued. “In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization or our fans.”

Brennaman is also not being included in FOX’s NFL broadcast schedule this season. He has served as an NFL broadcaster for FOX since the network started airing the NFL in 1994.

In a statement, FOX said: “FOX Sports is extremely disappointed with Thom Brennaman’s remarks during Wednesday’s Cincinnati Reds telecast. 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.”

Fox Sports Ohio described Brennaman’s language as “hateful, offensive, and in no way reflects the values of FOX Sports Ohio. We agree with the Reds’ decision to suspend him until further notice.”

Brennaman continued on the air for a few hours after he was caught saying “one of the [anti-gay slur] capitals of the world” on a hot mic before he did a promo. There was no mention of the slur until the fifth inning of the second game when Brennaman apologized as Nicholas Castellanos blasted a home run off the Kansas City Royals. 

“I don’t know if I’m going to be putting on this headset again,” Brennaman said. “I don’t know if it’s gonna be for the Reds. I don’t know if it’s gonna be for my bosses at Fox. I want to apologize for the people who sign my paycheck — for the Reds, for Fox Sports Ohio, for the people I work with, for anybody that I’ve offended here tonight. I can’t begin to tell how deeply sorry I am.”

In a statement, Brennaman said: “I would like to sincerely apologize for the inappropriate comments I made during last night’s telecast. I made a terrible mistake. To the LGBTQ community, and all people I have hurt or offended, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry. I respectfully ask for your grace and forgiveness.”

Jim Day took over for Brennaman on the Fox Sports Ohio broadcast. 

Brennaman, son of Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Marty Brennaman, has called MLB for more than 30 years.

This was his second season back as a Reds announcer at Sinclair-owned Fox Sports Ohio.