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

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

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

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination 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 distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe 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 called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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