Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"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 descent.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment 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 players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring 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 story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."