Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - 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 "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time 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 says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" 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 professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so proud 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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