Somerset pacer Jack Brooks apologizes for his old racist tweets, and to Cheteshwar Pujara for 'Steve' nickname

The incidents of racism have taken over the cricket world by storm and ever since one incident came into the light, there has been no stopping. In the latest turn of events, Somerset pacer Jack Brooks has come with an apology for the racist language he used back in 2012. In the same sequence, he also went on to apologize to Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara.

As per the reports, Brooks nicknames Pujara ‘Steve’ during his time at the Yorkshire club. Two incidents came up on the table which led to the further investigation of the matter in Brook’s racism case. He reportedly used the word “n***o” while speaking to English pacer Tymal Mills and Stewart Laudat, who plied their trades in minor counties cricket for Oxfordshire.

In the latest turn of events, Brook released a statement on November 18, Thursday, and added that he is deeply regretting the usage of the same term.

“I acknowledge that the language used in two tweets I made in 2012 was unacceptable and I deeply regret using it. I unreservedly apologise for any offense caused to anybody who may have seen these tweets,” said Brooks as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

I have reached out and apologized to Cheteshwar Pujara: Jack Brooks

Laudat took the matter on his Twitter and stated that he has known Brooks for a long time and the cricketer has never made him uncomfortable in any instance. It was only this week when Brook’s name came up during Azeem Rafiq’s testimony in front of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport select committee. Rafiq made a point that it was Brooks only who started referring to Pujara as ‘Steve’. However, Brooks has rendered apologies on the same matter also.

“With reference to my naming in Azeem Rafiq’s statement to MPs this week, the use of the name ‘Steve’ related to some people having difficult names to pronounce. When this has occurred in the past in a dressing room environment, it has been commonplace to give nicknames, regardless of creed or race. I admit to having used it in this context and now accept that it was disrespectful and wrong to do so.

“I have reached out and apologized to Cheteshwar for any offense that I have caused him or his family. At the time I didn’t recognize this as racist behavior, but I can now see that it was not acceptable,” he added.