Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's 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 period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop 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 change their futures, just as it did for me."