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Who hurled N-word at MLB star Lewis Brinson? Internet wants racist Rockies fan to be banned

'Sucks when we always have to be the good guys,' baseball player Adam Jones posted, backing Lewis Brinson

Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson was the target of racist abuse during the team's game with Colorado Rockies on Sunday, August 8, 2021. The incident happened at Coors Field in Denver, during the top of the ninth inning when Brinson was at the bat. A certain spectator reportedly screamed the N-word multiple times, which was picked up by the microphones during the TV broadcast of the game.

While Brinson did not appear to have heard the racist slur, it was vehemently condemned by fans on social media. The Colorado Rockies also released a statement about the issue, saying, "The Colorado Rockies are disgusted at the racial slur by a fan directed at the Marlins’ Lewis Brinson during the ninth inning of today’s game. Although the subject was not identified prior to the end of the game, the Rockies are still investigating this incident. The Rockies have zero tolerance for any forms of racism or discrimination, and any fan using derogatory language of any kind will be ejected and banned from Coors Field." However, a few internet users appeared to be defending the alleged abuser, insisting that he might have screamed 'Dinger', which is the Colorado Rockies' mascot, and not the N-word. 

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Major League Baseball is yet to issue any official statement regarding Sunday's incident. Officials are currently pursuing a probe to identify the abuser. Lewis Brinson also has not formally addressed the matter himself. 

Meanwhile, prominent personalities and social media users stormed Twitter with demands to ban the abusive fan from future games. "A fan at Coors Field just yelled the N-word at Lewis Brinson so loudly that the Bally Sports microphone picked it up. Absolutely horrible. That fan should be held just as accountable as the fan who threw a baseball at Verdugo. Ban him," tweeted Aram Leighton, founder of Just Baseball. 

Filmmaker Randy Wilkins called out the Rockies, the game umpires as well as the other fans in the stadium for their 'lack of response' to the abuse. "The Rockies, the fans sitting around the racist, and the umpires all failed Lewis Brinson. The lack of response from some and slow response from others is a clear indication of where some people stand on this. They could care less about racism. Some are even complicit," he tweeted.

Baseball player Adam Jones offered his support to Brinson saying, "Sorry you had to deal with a coward @LewisBrinson hold that head high as I know you will. Sucks when we always have to be the good guys!!" "I proudly stand WITH Lewis Brinson, who is one of the kindest, hardest working, genuine people you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet. I firmly stand AGAINST hatred, intolerance, ignorance, and the disgusting behavior that was exhibited earlier today. We have a long way to go," tweeted reporter Jessica Blaylock.

However, not everyone was equally empathetic. Despite Rockies officially condemning the abuse, one fan tweeted, "Okay guys, video & audio has since emerged and honestly I believe this fan is saying “Dinger” and trying to get the mascots attention. This certainly makes sense. Since no one visibly got upset in the stands or Lewis Brinson himself. You guys think this is what really happened?"

Another tweeted a close-up video of the unnamed spectator saying, "if you look closely he was trying to get the attention of “Dinger” the Rockies mascot."