<p>A veteran US baseball commentator has been suspended from his job as the voice of the Cincinnati Reds after making a "horrific, homophobic remark" on air, in the latest anti-gay slur to mar the world of sport.</p>.<p>Thom Brennaman, who has covered major league games for 33 years, used the term "fag capital" during a game on Wednesday night, prompting a backlash on social media and swift apologies from the team, top players and the broadcaster.</p>.<p>"I made a comment earlier tonight, that I guess went out over the air, that I am deeply ashamed of," Brennaman said on the show, which was aired by Fox Sports Ohio.</p>.<p>"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 very, very sorry," he said. "I don’t know if I’m going to be putting on this headset again."</p>.<p>The comment prompted online criticism as well as apologies.</p>.<p>"To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me," said Reds pitcher Amir Garrett on Twitter.</p>.<p>"There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here," said fellow pitcher Matt Bowman.</p>.<p>Homophobia in sport stretches from the soccer pitch to the swimming pool, with a fear of abuse, bullying, loss of income and assault prompting many stars to hide their sexuality.</p>.<p>Initiatives from rainbow laces in England to gay championships in Australia have tried to tackle the issue, but anti-gay sentiments remain widespread.</p>.<p>British middleweight boxer James Hawley was sacked after posting homophobic and transphobic comments online last month, while Irish lightweight Conor McGregor was captured on video in 2017 using a homophobic slur.</p>.<p>Last year, Australian rugby union star Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia after saying on social media that "hell awaits" gay people; he was then hired by Catalans Dragons.</p>.<p>The Reds said on Wednesday that the 56-year-old commentator had been suspended "effective immediately".</p>.<p>"The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman," the team said in a statement.</p>.<p>"We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country, and beyond."</p>
<p>A veteran US baseball commentator has been suspended from his job as the voice of the Cincinnati Reds after making a "horrific, homophobic remark" on air, in the latest anti-gay slur to mar the world of sport.</p>.<p>Thom Brennaman, who has covered major league games for 33 years, used the term "fag capital" during a game on Wednesday night, prompting a backlash on social media and swift apologies from the team, top players and the broadcaster.</p>.<p>"I made a comment earlier tonight, that I guess went out over the air, that I am deeply ashamed of," Brennaman said on the show, which was aired by Fox Sports Ohio.</p>.<p>"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 very, very sorry," he said. "I don’t know if I’m going to be putting on this headset again."</p>.<p>The comment prompted online criticism as well as apologies.</p>.<p>"To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me," said Reds pitcher Amir Garrett on Twitter.</p>.<p>"There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here," said fellow pitcher Matt Bowman.</p>.<p>Homophobia in sport stretches from the soccer pitch to the swimming pool, with a fear of abuse, bullying, loss of income and assault prompting many stars to hide their sexuality.</p>.<p>Initiatives from rainbow laces in England to gay championships in Australia have tried to tackle the issue, but anti-gay sentiments remain widespread.</p>.<p>British middleweight boxer James Hawley was sacked after posting homophobic and transphobic comments online last month, while Irish lightweight Conor McGregor was captured on video in 2017 using a homophobic slur.</p>.<p>Last year, Australian rugby union star Israel Folau was sacked by Rugby Australia after saying on social media that "hell awaits" gay people; he was then hired by Catalans Dragons.</p>.<p>The Reds said on Wednesday that the 56-year-old commentator had been suspended "effective immediately".</p>.<p>"The Cincinnati Reds organization is devastated by the horrific, homophobic remark made this evening by broadcaster Thom Brennaman," the team said in a statement.</p>.<p>"We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country, and beyond."</p>