Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film 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 much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"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."