Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a extended period 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 explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation 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 completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect 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 son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations 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 cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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