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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."