Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists 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've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable 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 classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

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

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."