Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran made a public apology after cameras caught the player shouting a homophobic slur at a fan who was heckling him during a game against the Houston Astros this past weekend. Yesterday, he was suspended for two games, and his salary for the games will be donated to PFLAG, according to the Boston Globe.
Reports Boston.com:
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,” Duran said in a statement issued to team reporters via the Red Sox. “I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed. I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly to the entire LGBTQ community.
“Our young fans are supposed to be able to look up to me as a role model, but tonight I fell far short of that responsibility. I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person.”
The Red Sox also released a statement regarding Duran’s comments.
“The Red Sox addressed this incident with Jarren immediately following today’s game,” the team said. “We echo Jarren’s apology to our fans, especially to the LGBTQ community. We strive to be an organization that welcomes all fans to Fenway Park, and we will continue to educate our employees, players, coaches and staff on the importance of inclusivity.”
During the sixth inning of Sunday’s game against the Astros, NESN’s broadcast caught Duran directing the slur toward a heckling fan. NESN’s microphones recorded the fan yelling “Tennis racket!” toward the outfielder as he stood up at the plate against Astros starter Hunter Brown.
Duran then turned toward the fan and yelled back, “Shut up you [expletive, expletive].”
Read the complete Boston.com story here.
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