Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 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 told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

"During a period of time 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 finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored 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 should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

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

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."