Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told 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 introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."