Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says 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 "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine 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 referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "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 action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, 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 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 effect 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 son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."