Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing 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 elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations 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 placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."