Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other 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 disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin 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 eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."