Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

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

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."