Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman uses anti-gay slur on air

Reds broadcaster Thom Brennaman used an anti-gay slur on air during Cincinnati’s game Wednesday night and later left the telecast after apologizing.

Brennaman, 56, used the slur moments after the Fox Sports Ohio feed returned from a commercial break before the top of the seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader at Kansas City. Brennaman did not seem to realize he was on air.

He remained on air in the second game until the top of the fifth inning, when he spoke directly to the camera before handing off play-by-play duties.

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

Brennaman added: “I don’t know if I’m going to be putting on this headset again” and apologized.

The son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, Thom has called major-league games for 33 years and has been with Fox Sports for the past 27, covering primarily baseball and football.