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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

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

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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 issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate 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 disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You should 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 impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, 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 sport more open.

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

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."