"I feel awful knowing how many people I offended and disappointed" - Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran issues apology for using homophobic slur
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran issued an apology statement on Sunday after directing a homophobic slur at a heckling fan during the 5-4 defeat to the Houston Astros at Fenway Park. Duran felt that he had set a bad example for the younger generation of fans who look up to him as a role model. He promised to use this experience to educate himself to be a better human being.
The Red Sox were playing the Astros at home on Sunday for the second meeting of their three-game series. Jarren Duran came up to the plate in the sixth inning to face Hunter Brown on the mound.
During the at-bat, Duran responded angrily to a fan who was heckling him from the stands by using a homophobic slur, which was caught clearly by the microphones during the live telecast of the match.
"Shut up you f---ing f----t," Duran said.
Following the end of the game, Jarren Duran released an apology statement to the media through his team in which he condemned himself for his actions.
“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan. 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," Jarren Duran said in the statement per MassLive.
"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,” Duran added.
The Boston Red Sox also issued a separate statement on the issue in an apology to their fans as well as the LGBTQ community.
“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.”
Playing in his fourth season with the Red Sox, Jarren Duran is having a breakout year. He was selected for his first All-Star Game in 2024, where he was named the MVP.
He is batting .291/.350/.503 with a .853 OPS and has also recorded 14 home runs and 29 stolen bases. Duran has the most doubles in the American League, while he leads all of MLB in plate appearances, at-bats, and triples.
Jarren Duran could face punishment for violating code of conduct
It remains to be seen whether Jarren Duran will be handed any punishment for his conduct from the Boston Red Sox or the MLB. Similar incidents have warranted some form of disciplinary action in the past.
In 2012, Toronto Blue Jays infielder Yunel Escobar wore eye black with anti-gay slurs written in Spanish. Escobar was suspended for three games after a meeting by the club's officials with the MLB and the Players Association.
Five years later in 2017, Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar directed a homophobic slur at Atlanta Braves pitcher Jason Motte. Pillar was suspended for two games without pay by his club following his apology.