Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling 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 a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell says 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."