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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

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

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."