Blowing the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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 problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player 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 rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people 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."