Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

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

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked 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 should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."