Fox Sports’ NFL broadcasts this season will not include Thom Brennaman as one of the play-by-play announcers. The network made the announcement Thursday, less than 24 hours after Brennaman used a homophobic slur on a live microphone during a telecast of a Cincinnati Reds baseball game.

The Reds suspended Brennaman indefinitely from their TV broadcasts, and Fox’s action came shortly thereafter. 

“The language used was abhorrent, unacceptable, and not representative of the values of Fox Sports,” the network said in a statement. “As it relates to Brennaman’s Fox NFL role, we are moving forward with our NFL schedule which will not include him.”

Brennaman, 56, issued an on-air apology during the Reds game Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, acknowledging his career might be in jeopardy and further apologized in a letter to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

“I could to try to explain it or tell you about who I am and what I believe, but those things would all be excuses. The simple fact is, what I said was wrong,” Brennaman wrote.

“I used a word that is both offensive and insulting. In the past 24 hours, I have read about its history; I had no idea it was so rooted in hate and violence and am particularly ashamed that I, someone who makes his living by the use of words, could be so careless and insensitive. It’s a word that should have no place in my vocabulary and I will certainly never utter it again.”

Brennaman said he spoke with MLB vice president Billy Bean, an openly gay former player who serves as the league’s ambassador of inclusion.

“I am going to start improving my understanding of LGBTQ+ issues and not in a way to simply check a box to keep my job, but to sincerely have an impact and change,” Brennaman wrote. “I immediately plan to participate in diversity, equity and inclusion training and have reached out to PFLAG for resources and guidance.”

The incident occurred shortly before the start of the doubleheader’s second game as Brennaman was about to promote the pregame show for the nightcap. 

A 17-second clip featuring audio of Brennaman using the slur – apparently unaware his microphone was on – spread quickly on social media as the hashtag #FireTom quickly began trending.

Late Wednesday night, the Reds also issued an apology and announced Brennaman was suspended indefinitely from its broadcasts. 

“In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization, or our fans,” the Reds said in a statement. “We share our sincerest apologies to the LGBTQ+ community in Cincinnati, Kansas City, all across this country, and beyond. The Reds embrace a zero-tolerance policy for bias or discrimination of any kind, and we are truly sorry to anyone who has been offended.”

Brennaman, the son of Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, has called Reds games on radio and television since 2007. He has also called MLB, NFL and college football games for Fox Sports since 1994.