Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just begin 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 spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We 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 impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."