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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene 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 film about his experiences.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share 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 obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."