Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've 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 view.

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."