Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran apologized in a statement Sunday for using a homophobic slur toward a fan during the team’s 10-2 loss to the Houston Astros at Fenway Park, calling the phrase a “really horrible word.”

“During today’s game, I used a truly horrible word when responding to a fan,” Jarren Duran said in the statement, according to Chris Cotillo. “I feel terrible thinking about how many people I have offended and disappointed. I apologize to the entire Red Sox organization, but more importantly to the entire LGBTQ community. Our young fans should 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 grow as a person.”

During Duran’s sixth-inning batting appearance against Astros starter Hunter Brown, according to Cotillo, he responded to a heckler by telling him to “shut up” and then used the slur. The exchange was clearly captured by microphones on the NESN broadcast of the game.

Red Sox comment on Jarren Duran’s use of slur

The Red Sox also addressed Duran’s use of the slur in their statement and explained how they are dealing with it.

“The Red Sox discussed this incident with Jarren immediately following today’s game,” the Red Sox said, according to Cotillo. “We join Jarren in his apology to our fans, especially 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.”

There was no mention of any possible punishment for Duran in the Red Sox statement. In the past, players have been suspended by their teams for using slurs. It will be worth following reports to see how the Red Sox and MLB handle this situation.

Ryan Bologna is a veteran sportswriter who covers NFL, MLB and NCAA basketball for ClutchPoints. He studied journalism and communications at UConn and is a contributing writer for New York Sports Nation and the Greenwich Free Press.