Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

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

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "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 introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"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 father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

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

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."