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

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

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

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"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.

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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 elite level."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."