Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."