Rockies: Fan yelled at pet, didn’t use racial slurs

The Colorado Rockies said Monday that a fan suspected of repeatedly yelling a racial slur at the Miami Marlins outfielder, Lewis brinsonwas actually yelling at Dinger, the purple spotted dinosaur who is the club’s mascot.

Brinson said he did not hear fans scream during the game, but a day later, he had reviewed the tape and had a different opinion.

“So I watched the video at least 50 times in the last 15-16 hours,” Brinson said in a video conference before Monday night’s game in San Diego. “I saw it a lot, especially when I heard Dinger say instead of the N word.”

“I personally, this is my personal opinion again, I personally keep hearing the N word. Not that I want to hear it, I never want to hear it. Personally, I have never been called that in person to my face on the baseball field, off the field. baseball, never, so I don’t know what my reaction would be if they called me that, “he said.

“But so far, repeating that, I have not personally spoken to the Rockies or that fan. If that is the case, then I am sorry for any reaction or anything you are getting at this point,” he said.

The Rockies said Sunday they were “disgusted” by what was believed to be a racial slur directed at Miami’s Brinson, who is black, in the ninth inning of Colorado’s 13-8 win on Sunday.

“After a thorough investigation that included calls, emails, and video clips from concerned fans, media, and broadcast partners, the Colorado Rockies concluded that the fan was yelling at the Rockies mascot in hopes of getting their attention. for a photo, and there was never any racial slur that occurred, “the team said in a statement Monday.

“The Rockies remain dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for all fans, players and guests at Coors Field, and any fan who uses derogatory language of any kind will be expelled from Coors Field.”

The Rockies did not identify the fan.

The man’s screams were picked up by both teams’ broadcasts, although the Bally Sports Florida broadcast was clearer than Colorado’s because Rockies announcer Drew Goodman was speaking at the time.

No one on the field, including Brinson, reacted to the screams.

Marlins spokesman Jason Latimer told The Associated Press via text message Sunday that “neither Lewis, nor any other Marlins on the field or on the bench, heard what was yelled at.”

Fans had started filling the stadium’s lower deck in the last few innings, closing in for a post-game concert that was part of the Faith Day celebration.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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