Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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

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

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing 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 pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight 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 honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."