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

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination 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 several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. 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 sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."