NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong apologized for using profanity in a heated exchange with a fan during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Crow-Armstrong, the 24-year-old star for the Cubs, said he has learned from the experience and regrets his “choice of words.”
PCA was heard saying, “suck my f—ing d— b—-,” during the interaction with the fan in the outfield.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs stands on the deck during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field on April 21, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images) (Matt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images)
“I regret my choice of words the most and who it affects in my life,” Crow-Armstrong told ESPN on Monday afternoon. “Directly or indirectly, I don’t think any of the women in my life would think I would say those kinds of words on a regular basis. I’m just shocked by the choice of words and a bunch of little kids going on social media and seeing it too.”
It was in the fifth inning of the “Crosstown Classic” that Crow-Armstrong was trying to track down a fly ball when he crashed into the wall. He sat on the ground for a while as fans lined the fence under the bleachers and by the visitors’ bullpen.
PETE CROW-ARMSTRONG GET INTO A UGLY, CURSE-FILLED SCREAMING MATCH WITH FEMALE WHITE SOX FAN
While several people appeared to be talking to Crow-Armstrong, one woman heckled him, leading to his pointed response. The interaction was caught on camera and Crow-Armstrong could be heard very clearly.
“I saw the cameras in my face, it’s not like I didn’t,” he admitted. “I’m certainly aware that it’s blown up.”
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 16: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Rate Field on May 16, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo: Daniel Bartel/Getty Images) ((Photo by Daniel Bartel/Getty Images))
Crow-Armstrong added that he is “intense on the pitch”, but he admitted: “I think I let it get away from me a bit.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell also hopes his star player learned from the situation.
“Pete made a mistake with his choice of words,” Counsell said. “He’s aware of that. … That’s the reality of this job. Fan interactions happen. You want to try to keep them positive even when they’re not.”
MLB did not investigate the incident even though it went viral, ESPN added.
Crow-Armstrong is in his third year with the Cubs, but he’s already seen as an important cornerstone of the storied franchise. Before the season, he also represented the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 17: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs reacts after being hit by a pitch in the eighth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on May 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images) ((Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images))
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
As a key representative of the franchise and all those in the clubhouse, Crow-Armstrong hopes he can move forward by “killing someone with kindness rather than matching their level of intent.”
I won’t let that deter me from the competitiveness I feel out on the field. Channeling in a different way would probably be my next task,” he said.
