Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public 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 rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

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

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved 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 sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game 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.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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