UPDATE (Aug. 9): Steve Staeger of Denver’s 9NEWS (KUSA) reports that after reviewing the situation, the Rockies say the fan in question was yelling to the team’s mascot, Dinger. Staeger posted video that appears to indicate that the fan is turned toward the mascot when shouting. That could also explain why no one sitting near the fan, nor Marlins player Lewis Brinson or anyone on the field, reacts.
Here's the video by the way. I've highlighted both the fan and Dinger in the the first clip, then zoomed in on the fan in the second clip. And Dinger in the third. pic.twitter.com/ul14jQjavx
— Steve Staeger (@SteveStaeger) August 9, 2021
He's pretty devastated that people heard him the wrong way. He insists, and the video seems to back it up, that he was trying to get the mascot's attention. He said he shouted a few times, then the game ended and Dinger was on the field.
— Steve Staeger (@SteveStaeger) August 9, 2021
[Original post begins as follows]
Earlier on Sunday, a fan at Coors Field was clearly heard on the broadcast hurling the n-word multiple times at Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson.
It was disgusting, obviously.
https://twitter.com/AramLeighton8/status/1424495407640502273
The video is widely available on Twitter, but hosting it here doesn’t seem like the right call, since the guy was just hoping to get the attention and because we don’t know who it is yet, which means there’s not yet been any consequences for this abhorrence.
A statement from the Colorado Rockies regarding the racial slur incident at the end of today's game: pic.twitter.com/85uN3f1pFZ
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 9, 2021
If the Rockies do find the fan (you’d like to think someone might come forward here, and we should know where the microphones are, for example) it’s not clear what will happen. Obviously a lifetime ban is the main punishment for fan misconduct, but as Chris Herring points out, it really is just too light, all things considered.
Our go-to has become, “Ban the fan for life!” Is it just me, or does that not really seem like that big a punishment? I’ve been feeling this way for months, w regards to fan behavior. Feels like the absolute minimum.
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) August 8, 2021
If the fan is identified, then there’s the possibility for some public outcry and shaming. But as of now, it’s just some anonymous racist shouting horrible shit from the safety of a crowd at a Black athlete. It’s fucking horrible, and hopefully he gets found out as quickly as possible.