Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union 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 "comments" 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

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

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

"Over 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 incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," 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 ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."