Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, 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 told media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred 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 environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked 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 done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."