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

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

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

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."