Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler Never Heard Any Racial Slurs From Cardinals Fans

(CBS) Contrary to a New York-based report earlier in the day that claimed Cardinals fans hurled racial slurs at Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward in his return to Busch Stadium on Monday night, both Heyward and teammate Dexter Fowler said Tuesday they didn't hear anything of that sort.

"No, I don't feel like it's a story," Heyward said.

Heyward acknowledged he had heard racial insults before in the big leagues but not Monday, which he called a "blur."

"That's not something you pay a lot of attention too," Heyward said. "Just play the game.

"It's just not something you really pay attention to. It's not really a part of the game on the field. I'm just trying to do my job, especially when you're on the field in the outfield. You just try to make sure you're into every pitch, so I don't really concern myself with what's going on off the field.

"For me, all is well."

Heyward certainly prefers that racial epithets were never a topic, but he knows that's still not quite the reality today.

"It's still the world we live in," Heyward said. "It's a part of it. Nobody's perfect. Everybody's not moved on. Everybody's not a certain way. Everybody's different."

Fowler shared a similar take as Heyward, saying he didn't hear any racial slurs.

"That stuff's unacceptable," Fowler said.

Fowler added St. Louis fans "have always been pretty good to me."

Heyward signed an eight-year, $184-million deal with the Cubs in December after spending one year with the Cardinals. On Monday, he was roundly booed by most of the Cardinals fans in attendance. He went 0-for-4 but made two nice catches in the outfield. The Cubs won 5-0 to open a three-game lead on the Cardinals in the NL Central.