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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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 strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."