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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in 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 media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate 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 disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, 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 pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep 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 young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."