Somerset’s Jack Brooks Apologizes For Calling Cheteshwar Pujara ‘Steve’ And For His Old Racist Tweets
Somerset’s Jack Brooks Apologizes For Calling Cheteshwar Pujara ‘Steve’ And For His Old Racist Tweets

Somerset pacer Jack Brooks has come with an apology for the racist language he used back in 2012 and also for calling India batter Cheteshwar Pujara by a generic English name ‘Steve’ during their time in the county club Yorkshire.

The incidents of racism have taken over the cricket world by storm ever since former Yorkshire cricketer Azeem Rafiq accused the management and team and players of using racist jibes at him and for racially biased behavior towards him, which even led to him thinking of ending his life.

In the latest turn of events, Somerset fast bowler Jack Brooks released a statement on November 18, apologizing for using derogatory terms for other players, including India’s Cheteshwar Pujara and fellow England player Tymal Mills and Stewart Laudat.

Tymal Mills
Tymal Mills. Image-Twitter

As per reports, 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.

“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 On Calling Him Steve

The same reports also suggested that Brooks nicknamed Pujara ‘Steve’ during his time at the Yorkshire club. Brooks’ 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 said that he reached out to Cheteshwar Pujara and rendered his apologies to the Indian cricketer.

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Cheteshwar Pujara
Credits: Twitter

“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.

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