Blowing the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby 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, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue 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 harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."