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

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."