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

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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 placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"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 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 council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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