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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience 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 surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed 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 sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

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

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

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

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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