Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, 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 elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to think 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 team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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