Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has apologized for using a homophobic slur when responding to a questioning fan during the team’s 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday.
The conversation with the fan was captured on New England Sports Network’s (NESN) live broadcast of the game when Duran, who was 0-2 with two strikeouts at that point, was on base in the sixth inning, the Associated Press reported.
The fan could be heard shouting into the live microphone: “Tennis racket! Tennis racket! You need a tennis racket!” to which Duran responded, “Shut the fuck up” followed by the slur, the NESN stream captured.
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrible word when responding to a fan. I feel terrible knowing how many people I’ve offended and disappointed,” Duran said. said in a statement released by the Red Sox late Sunday. “I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly, to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans should be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility.”
Duran said he will use the incident to “educate” himself and his teammates and to “grow as a person.”
The team, in its own statement, said it addressed the episode with Duran immediately after the game and repeated its apology.
“We strive to be an organization that welcomes all fans to Fenway Park and will continue to educate our staff, players, coaches and staff on the importance of inclusion,” the Red Sox wrote.
Duran, 27, has started for the Red Sox in all 116 games this season, was the MVP of last month’s All-Star Game and is one of the team’s top hitters with a .291 average, 14 home runs and 58 RBI.
Neither the Red Sox nor MLB announced whether Duran would face any punishment for the incident. The team MLB. with Reporter Ian Browne noted that the league has mandated diversity and sensitivity training for past players who have used offensive language on the field.
Before Sunday’s game, Duran received the Heart and Agitation Award in a pregame ceremony, the AP reported. The award honors one player per team who “demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game,” according to the league.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
