Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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 myself suffered and witnessed," 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 harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should 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.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, 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 passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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