Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" 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 out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience 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 great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."