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

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

"It's 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 descent.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures 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 given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."