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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time 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 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 disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."