Blowing the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple 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"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children 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."