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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for 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 longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."