Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."