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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard 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 called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling 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 aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."