Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

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

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop 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 sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."