Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 problem that I've personally suffered and seen," 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 fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."