Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."