Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player 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 rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union 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 added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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