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

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds play-by-play broadcaster Thom Brennaman was suspended and pulled off the air during a Reds broadcast Wednesday night after he used a homophobic slur during the broadcast.

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

Thom is the son of Baseball Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, the longtime radio voice for the Reds. Marty retired from his radio play-by-play duties at the end of last season.

“As a dad, I hurt for him,” Marty said late Wednesday night, according to a report from The Cincinnati Enquirer. “What he said is not a reflection of who Thom Brennaman is. I know that’s not him. But I also feel terrible for the people the comment offended.”

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

Thom is a long-time play-by-play broadcaster with stints with multiple Major League Baseball teams and Fox Sports. After starting his career in local TV, Thom worked for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondback before returning to Cincinnati and becoming the play-by-play broadcaster for the Reds.

Thom as a long-time Fox Sports employee, served as one of the main play-by-play voices for national telecasts of NFL, MLB, and college football. Brennaman was the main play-by-play voice for Fox’s Bowl Championship Series coverage from 2006-2009.

Fox Sports Ohio, which is owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, following a sale by Fox TV, said they supported the decision to suspend him, “hateful, offensive, and in no way reflects the values of Fox Sports Ohio.”

A statement from Fox Sports was not immediately available.

Brennaman issued an on-air apology before he was pulled from the broadcast. “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 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.”

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