Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to 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 "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off 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 willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."