Thom Brennaman won’t call any more NFL games on Fox Sports after saying a homophobic slur on the air during Wednesday’s Cincinnati Reds telecast.
After calling NFL and MLB games for Fox Sports since 1994, Brennaman was suspended indefinitely as the Reds’ play-by-play voice and now won’t call any NFL games when the season begins next month.
“FOX Sports is extremely disappointed with Thom’s remarks during Wednesday’s Cincinnati Reds telecast,” the network said in a statement. “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.”
After a commercial break during a doubleheader between the Reds and the Royals, Brennaman was heard saying “one of the f-g capitals of the world” over a hot mic before continuing to call the game. Shortly after, he apologized and was taken off the air.
“I made a comment earlier tonight that I guess went out over the air that I am deeply ashamed of,” Brennaman said. “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. I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith.”