Sports world reacts: Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman uses homophobic slur on air

CINCINNATI — Players, reporters, and personalities across the sports world took to social media Wednesday night and into Thursday following the suspension of Thom Brennaman after he used a homophobic slur during a Cincinnati Reds broadcast.

>>Reds suspend broadcaster Thom Brennaman for using homophobic slur on air

After the game, Reds relief pitcher Amir Garrett tweeted “To the LGBTQ community, just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me. I’m sorry for what was said today.”

>>Who is Thom Brennaman? Cincinnati Reds broadcaster suspended for using homophobic slur

Garrett also retweeted a statement from Matt Bowman, a member of the Reds organization, who also expressed regret for the word used by Brennaman.

>>Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman apologizes after uttering anti-gay slur

Much of the social media conversation outside Brennaman’s use of the word was his apology on-air before being pulled from the broadcast. During Brennaman’s apology, Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos hit a solo home run, extending the Reds’ lead to 4-0. During Brennaman’s apology, he paused to call the home run.

“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 I’m so very, very sorry. I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith - as there’s a drive into deep left field by Castellanos that will be a home run. And so that will make it a 4-0 ballgame. I don’t know if I’m gonna be putting on this headset again. 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,” Brennaman said during his apology.

On social media the hashtag #FireThom started trending, with many users calling for Brennaman to be fired and removed immediately from future broadcasts.

After Brennaman issued his on-air apology he was replaced by Jim Day, an occasional play-by-play broadcaster, but normally serves as a reporter and pre and post game host.

Cox Media Group