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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

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 playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"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.

"During a extended period 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 says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate 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 "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed 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 died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."