Reds announcer Thom Brennaman removed from broadcast after hot mic catches homophobic slur

Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman said a homophobic slur between innings during a game Wednesday night, leading to his removal from the broadcast for the remainder of a team game.

Ahead of the seventh inning in the Cincinnati team’s game against the Kansas City Royals, Brennaman was heard saying the slur. 

He did not appear aware that he was on the air, according to multiple reports.

During the second game of the team’s doubleheader, Brennaman apologized for the slur on the air.

“I made a comment earlier tonight, that I guess went out over the air, that I am deeply ashamed of. If I have hurt anyone out there, I can’t tell you how much I say from the bottom of my heart that I am so very, very sorry,” Brennaman said.

“I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith,” he said, before stopping to announce a home run in the game.

BREAKING: Thom Brennaman responds to apparent homophobic slur live on air. Jim Day is now broadcasting. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/n3L0wZ2BWd

— Trevor Peters (@TrevorPetersTV) August 19, 2020

Brennaman continued, saying that he’s not sure if “I’m going to be putting on this headset again. I don’t know if it’s going to be for the Reds, I don’t know if it’s going to be for my bosses at Fox.”

“I can’t begin to tell you how deeply sorry I am. That is not who I am and it never has been,” he continued. “I’d like to think maybe I could have some people that can back that up. I am very, very sorry, and I beg for your forgiveness.”

Brennaman has worked as a broadcaster for the Ohio team since 2006. He has called major league games for more than three decades. 

The Hill has reached out to the Reds and Fox Sports for comment.