Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing 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 explained to reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered 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 several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of 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 banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During 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 motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

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

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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