Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved 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 earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."