Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

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

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a period of time 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 finally spurred to go public 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 governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation 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 discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue 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 disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."