Blowing 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 says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination 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 said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself 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 acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" 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 implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"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 proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing 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.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."