Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my career - Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" 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 a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

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

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, 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 sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game 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 change their futures, just as it did for me."