Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other 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 humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."