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

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You be so proud 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. 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 documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."