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

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed 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 environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue 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 comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."