Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting 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 children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."