Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for 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 definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other 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 dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told 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 professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You should 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.

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing 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 potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."