Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"During 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 incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"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."