Blowing the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen 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 elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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