Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"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 extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

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

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion 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 class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

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

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing 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 futures, just as it transformed things for me."