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

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important 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 collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm 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 fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 much. 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 passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

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

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