Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out 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 game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed 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 elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility 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 stories as well.

"I take 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 are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."