Jack Brooks was investigated by Somerset for tweets sent in 2012; two separate messages included racist language; Brooks says: “I acknowledge that the language used in two tweets I made in 2012 was unacceptable and I deeply regret using it.”
Jack Brooks has been reprimanded by Somerset and will be asked to undergo diversity training through historical tweets that included racist language.
Somerset revealed Thursday morning that they were investigating allegations about the 37-year-old fast bowler over social media posts made before joining the county.
Brooks tweeted “Cheers N ****” to Tymal Mills in 2012 in response to Mills tweeting about England winning a series in Sri Lanka.
He sent an identical tweet to cricketer Stewart Laudat, also in 2012.
Brooks has previously acknowledged that “the language used in two tweets I made in 2012 was unacceptable and I deeply regret using it.”
He added: “I unreservedly apologize for any offense caused to anyone who has seen these tweets.”
Later Thursday, Somerset said they had decided to reprimand Brooks, remind him of his responsibilities and require him to participate in extensive training on equality, diversity and inclusion.
Brooks was one of the players named in Azeem Rafiq’s statement to MPs earlier this week, including Gary Ballance, Alex Hales, Michael Vaughan, when the former spinner told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee about his experiences in bullying and bullying in Yorkshire.
Rafiq said Brooks would call India hitter Cheteshwar Pujara ‘Steve’, although Pujara would prefer he not.
In their statement released Thursday, Somerset said that in addition to the social media posts, they were also investigating claims that Brooks was involved in adopting the nickname ‘Steve’ in Yorkshire.
The club said they had spoken with Brooks at length about the nature and content of his comments.
“There is no doubt that these comments are unacceptable,” the statement read. “Somerset condemns the use of language that has racist overtones.
“Jack agrees with this sentiment and is ashamed and devastated that his comments offended people and has acknowledged that while they were made almost a decade ago when he was less mature, the content of the posts was incorrect and not according to your values.
“Jack has been honestly and openly involved throughout the investigation and unreservedly apologizes for his past mistakes.
Before reaching conclusions, the club considered a number of factors including the lack of evidence of repeated documented behavior of this type, the contrition shown by Jack throughout the process, the comments received from the recipients of the posts in the social networks and their commitment to their own person. development. “
Somerset said it was these factors that made them decide to reprimand their player, remind him of his responsibilities and require him to participate in extensive training on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
“There is no room for racism in Somerset Cricket or in the entire game,” the statement added.
“The club encourages anyone with information about incidents that may have occurred in the past to report them to the club to ensure lessons are learned. Any information received will be kept confidential and investigated. We are listening.
“The club is extremely disappointed to learn that Jack and his partner have received threatening messages on social media this week. These have been reported to the relevant authorities for further investigation.”
Laudat, who played minor county cricket for Oxfordshire, was one of two people who received Brooks’ tweets in 2012.
However, the 50-year-old took to social media Thursday to defend Brooks, saying: “Regarding the historical tweet that has come to light between my friend Jack Brooks and myself, I would like to say that I understand that things what has been said or expressed is now under increased scrutiny and rightly so if we want to address all forms of discrimination.
“But without context, misunderstandings and misconceptions are easily done. It bothers me that Jack’s character is being questioned by this tweet because I have known him for a long time and he has never made me feel uncomfortable in any conversation that we have had.
“I consider Jack to be a good friend and a credit to his family and his profession.”
