Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn 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 finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant 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 encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. 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 film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."