For Jackson, it’s time to have fun
Bengals looking for consistency from fifthyear defensive back.
William Jackson’s mom pointed out toward the end of the 2018 season that it didn’t look like the Cincinnati Bengals cornerback was having fun anymore.
The 2016 first-round draft pick showed star potential in 2017 after he missed his rookie season, but his play slipped significantly over the last two seasons.
Jackson tried taking to heart what his mom said but while adjusting to his fourth defensive coordinator in four years, it just wasn’t clicking for him yet last season. Now he’s feeling more comfortable in the second season with Lou Anarumo and ready to turn the corner.
“That is not who I am and never has been, and I’d like to think I have some people that can back that up. I am very very sorry, and I beg for your forgiveness. Jim Day will take you the rest of the way home.”
During the middle of the apology, Nick Castellanos hit a home run, helping the Reds to a 5-0 victory after they lost the first game 4-0. Their road trip continued Thursday with the start of a four-game series in St. Louis. Brennaman will not be on the air. The Reds suspended him after the game.
“We will be addressing our broadcasting team in the coming days,” The Reds announced in a statement. “In no way does this incident represent our players, coaches, organization, or our fans. 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.”
Fox Sports Ohio released a similar statement: “The language that Thom Brennaman used this evening is hateful, offensive, and in no way reflects the values of FOX Sports Ohio. We agree with the Reds’ decision to suspend him until further notice.”
The Brennaman story overshadowed the baseball on the field. Brennaman, 56, has worked as the television voice of the Reds on Fox Sports Ohio since 2007. Until this year, he worked just down the hall at Great American Ball Park from his dad, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame who will enter the Reds Hall of Fame in 2021.
Thom appeared to be on the way to a long career like his dad’s. Now that’s in question.
An Anderson High School and Ohio University graduate, Brennaman has called bigleague games for 33 years, and he has worked 10 division series and 10 league championship series for FOX. Prior to joining the Reds, he spent nine seasons calling Arizona Diamondbacks games and six seasons calling Chicago Cubs games for WGN radio and TV. He also has worked for FOX’s NFL broadcast team for the last 27 years.
Time will tell if Brennaman’s words lead to a longer suspension or his firing. There was a long list of people who reacted with anger to his comments.
On Twitter, Reds reliever Amir Garrett wrote, “To the LGBTQ community just know I am with you, and whoever is against you, is against me. I’m sorry for what was said today.”
Another Reds reliever, Matt Bowman, wrote, “LGBTQ+ community, as a member of the Reds organization, I am so sorry for the way you were marginalized tonight. There will always be a place for you in the baseball community and we are so happy to have you here.”