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Another day, another athlete exposed for terrible behavior on social media. Atlanta Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb apologized Sunday after a series of his homophobic and racist tweets were found.
The tweets in question were made in 2011 and 2012 when Newcomb was a freshman at the University of Hartford.
uhhhhhhhhhhhhh hey @SeanNewk, you really like that word, huh? pic.twitter.com/swd0EGG2M7
— Kelly Wallace (@kellyawallace) July 29, 2018
jesus pic.twitter.com/RNMDFlIMGC
— Kelly Wallace (@kellyawallace) July 29, 2018
Sean Newcomb is cancelled pic.twitter.com/0KGrXXLm6Z
— squid (@NatsSquid) July 29, 2018
These tweets were uncovered as Newcomb was pitching the game of his life on Sunday, coming within one strike of a no-hitter against the Dodgers, allowing only a two-out single in the ninth inning.
News of the tweets didn’t break until after reporters spoke with Newcomb, but the Braves made the pitcher available to media afterward as well.
“This is something that obviously can’t be happening. I feel bad about it. I don’t mean to offend anybody. I definitely regret it.” - Sean Newcomb
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) July 29, 2018
“I felt that it would be good to address it right away and just let people know that I meant nothing by it. I didn’t mean to offend anybody and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. I’ll be smarter.” - #Braves Sean Newcomb @FOXSportsBraves
— Kelsey Wingert (@KelsWingert) July 29, 2018
Newcomb then added, per Wingert, “I think that people who know me know that’s now the kind of person I am,” eerily similar to the “They were never my beliefs” excuse offered by Brewers reliever Josh Hader, whose racist and homophobic tweets surfaced during the MLB All-Star Game.
Hader wasn’t suspended by MLB for his old tweets, but was ordered to undergo sensitivity training. It is unknown what punishment, if any, will be handed down to Newcomb.
The Braves released a statement on Sunday evening:
“We are aware of the tweets that surfaced after today’s game and have spoken to Sean, who is incredibly remorseful. Regardless of how long ago he posted them, he is aware of the insensitivity and is taking full responsibility.
“We find the tweets hurtful and incredibly disappointing and even though he was 18 or 19 years old when posted, it doesn’t make them any less tolerable. We will work together with Sean towards mending the wounds created in our community.”