Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

"This is 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 heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn 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 "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"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 face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."