Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," 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.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour 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 learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal 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 stakeholders in the professional game to work 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 building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact 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 son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."