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

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," 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 investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."