In the bottom of the sixth inning in Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros with the Boston Red Sox trailing 10-0, outfielder Jarren Duran was at the plate when NESN microphones picked up him yelling a homophobic slur at a fan.
Duran had been 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in the game when the microphones near home plate captured audio of a fan heckling Duran, who yelled back, “Shut up you (expletive, expletive).”
NESN mics picked up Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran calling a heckling fan a “f*cking f*****” during Sunday’s game
(Warning, slur included in clip below) pic.twitter.com/R6UYjJqnCJ
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 12, 2024
In a statement to The Athletic, the Red Sox issued an apology on behalf of Duran and the team.
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,” Duran said in a statement. “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 addressed this incident with Jarren immediately following today’s game,” the Red Sox said in a statement. “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.”
(File photo of Duran: Brian Fluharty / Getty Images)
