Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You should be so pleased 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 view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."