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

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

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

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."