Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over 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 nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game 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 myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."