Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international 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.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player 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 disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."