Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training 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 damaging conduct.

"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.

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

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

Burrell, who grew up 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 support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight 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 perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."