Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," 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 achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."