Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature 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 subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened 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 first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable 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 "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body 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 significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop 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 believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."