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

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

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

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures 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."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased 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 career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."