Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," 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 view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling 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 works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."