Thom Brennaman is officially calling it a career.
The Cincinnati Reds and Fox Sports Ohio broadcaster resigned from his position more than one month after he was suspended for using a homophobic slur on air.
From WCPO:
“My family and I have decided that I am going to step away from my role as the television voice of the Cincinnati Reds,” Brennaman wrote to WCPO. “I would like to thank the Reds, Reds fans and the LGBTQ Community for the incredible support and grace they have shown my family and me.“
Brennaman has been suspended from the Cincinnati Reds since the Aug. 19 incident. He had been with the Reds since 2006.
“I have been in this profession that I love for 33 years,” he wrote. “It is my hope and intention to return. And if I’m given that opportunity, I will be a better broadcaster and a much better person.”
Here’s that moment:
“The Reds respect Thom Brennaman’s decision to step away from the broadcast booth and applaud his heartfelt efforts of reconciliation with the LGBTQ+ community,” team CEO Bob Castellini wrote in a statement. “The Brennaman family has been an intrinsic part of the Reds history for nearly fifty years. We sincerely thank Thom for bringing the excitement of Reds baseball to millions of fans during his years in the booth. And, we appreciate the warm welcome Thom showed our fans at Redsfest and on the Reds Caravan. He is a fantastic talent and a good man who remains part of the Reds family forever. We wish him well.”
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Brennaman apologized during the same game after massive social media backlash:
“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, I’m so very, very sorry. I pride myself and think of myself as a man of faith … I don’t know if I’m going to be putting on this headset again.”
