Jarren Duran Tim Heitman/Getty Photos
Boston Crimson Sox star Jarren Duran has issued an apology after being caught on a sizzling mic utilizing a homophobic slur.
Duran, 27, may very well be heard utilizing the slur throughout NESN’s broadcast of the Crimson Sox recreation in opposition to the Houston Astros on Sunday, August 11.
Together with his again turned at residence plate in the course of the recreation’s sixth inning, Duran directed the insult at a fan who seemed to be heckling him.
“Shut up, you [expletive] [expletive],” Duran mentioned to the person.
Following the sport, the Crimson Sox issued a press release on behalf of Duran.
“Throughout tonight’s recreation, I used a very horrific phrase when responding to a fan,” the assertion learn. “I really feel terrible realizing how many individuals I offended and disillusioned. I apologize to the whole Crimson Sox group, however extra importantly to the whole LGBTQ group.”
Jarren Duran Ed Zurga/Getty Photos
Duran continued, “Our younger followers are supposed to have the ability to look as much as me as a task mannequin, however tonight I fell fall in need of that accountability. I’ll use this chance to coach myself and my teammates and to develop as an individual.”
The Crimson Sox group issued a press release of their very own, saying the staff “addressed this incident with Jarren instantly following immediately’s recreation.”
“We echo Jarren’s apology to our followers, particularly to the LGBTQ group,” the staff mentioned. “We attempt to be a corporation that welcomes all followers to Fenway Park, and we are going to proceed to coach our staff, gamers, coaches and workers on the significance of inclusivity.”
The group didn’t announce whether or not Duran can be within the lineup when the Crimson Sox open a three-game homestand in opposition to the Texas Rangers on Monday, August 12 or how Duran plans to “educate” himself.
Regardless of Duran’s apology, some baseball followers and insiders weren’t shopping for it.
Paving the best way. LGBTQ+ athletes have been breaking down limitations and difficult prejudices for many years, but it surely wasn’t at all times simple. Tennis participant and LGBTQ+ rights advocate Billie Jean King gained the well-known “Battle of the Sexes” match in opposition to Bobby Riggs in 1973, greater than 40 years earlier than same-sex marriage grew to become authorized all through the US. […]
“Sorry however written apologies are now not acceptable from skilled athletes who loudly use homophobic slurs,” Yahoo Sports activities’ Liz Roscher wrote through X. “Jarren Duran ought to need to apologize whereas the media is recording him, as a result of that assertion felt like a template the Crimson Sox simply stuffed in.”
A seventh-round choose of the Crimson Sox in 2018, Duran made his skilled debut with the staff in 2021. He’s at present within the high 5 of each hits and stolen bases in all of Main League Baseball and was named the MVP of the 2024 MLB All-Star Sport in July.
Previous to Sunday’s recreation, Duran was named the Crimson Sox’s Coronary heart & Hustle award winner in a pre-game ceremony that includes Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora.
