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

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby 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 wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."