Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early 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.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered 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 the national team," he stated.

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard 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 "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game 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 training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You 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 finished your playing days, 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 dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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