Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a extended period you just learn to think 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 instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

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

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."