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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" 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've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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