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

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

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

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted 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 witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved 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 documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal 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 fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."