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

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy 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 prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."