The Boston Red Sox suspended outfielder Jarren Duran for two games for calling a fan an ‘anti-gay slur’ during the team’s loss Sunday to the Houston Astros.

“In consultation with Major League Baseball, the Red Sox today issued an unpaid two-game suspension to outfielder Jarren Duran beginning with tonight’s game against the Texas Rangers at Fenway Park,” the Red Sox announced.

“Additionally, Duran’s salary from the two-game suspension will be donated to PFLAG (Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), the United States’ largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and those who love them,” the statement added.

Here’s video of the incident [EXPLICIT LANGUAGE]:

Per ESPN:

In the sixth inning of Boston’s game Sunday at Fenway Park, Duran turned around in the middle of an at-bat and said to a heckler: “Shut up, you f—ing f—-t.”

Duran, 27, apologized in a statement Sunday night for using “a truly horrific word when responding to a fan.”

Before answering reporters’ questions in the middle of the clubhouse Monday, Duran started by further apologizing to fans whom he said reached out to him and said “they were disappointed in me.”

“I’m sorry for my actions and I’m going to work on being better,” the 27-year-old outfielder said, as quoted by The Associated Press.

Fox News reports:

Duran made the remark as he stepped to the plate in the sixth inning of Sunday’s 10-2 loss against the Houston Astros. A fan shouted at him that he needed a tennis racket. The player yelled back, “Shut up,” followed by the slur.

He apologized in a statement after the game.

“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,” Duran said. “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.”

 

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