Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

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

"You be so pleased 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 ended your playing days, 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 shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities 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 sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."