Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

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

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."