Red Sox's Jarren Duran Suspended Two Games for Calling Fan Anti-LGBTQ Slur

Boston will donate his game checks to PFLAG.
Jul 23, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (16) scores a run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Jul 23, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (16) scores a run in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran has been suspended two games without pay after calling a fan an anti-LGBTQ slur, MLB announced Monday afternoon.

Duran, 27, directed the slur toward a heckling fan during the Red Sox's 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros Sunday at Fenway Park.

Per MLB, Duran's game checks will be donated to PFLAG—a longstanding American organization "dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them."

The Corona, Calif. native will serve his suspension Monday and Tuesday, when Boston plays the first two games of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

Duran is in his fourth year with the Red Sox; the All-Star leads the American League in doubles and all of baseball in triples this season. After his use of the slur, he issued an apology.

“During tonight’s game, I used a truly horrific word when responding to a fan,” Duran said in a statement postgame. “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. I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person.”


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .