Red Sox All-Star Duran apologizes for using homophobic slur toward fan

Boston Red Sox All-Star outfielder Jarren Duran issued an apology for directing a homophobic slur toward a fan during Sunday's game at Fenway Park.

"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," Duran said in a statement obtained by Julian McWilliams of the Boston Globe. "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 opportunity. I will use this opportunity to educate myself and my teammates and to grow as a person."

The Red Sox said they "addressed this incident with Jarren immediately following today's game" and "echo Jarren's apology to our fans, especially to the LGBTQ community."

The incident occurred during Duran's at-bat in the sixth inning of Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. The Red Sox television broadcast picked up the sound of a fan heckling Duran while he stepped out of the box, followed by Duran uttering the slur in the fan's direction.

It's not yet clear if Duran will be subject to any additional discipline from either the Red Sox or Major League Baseball. In 2017, the Toronto Blue Jays gave outfielder Kevin Pillar a two-game suspension after he directed a homophobic slur toward an opponent.

Duran, 27, is in his fourth season with the Red Sox.