Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period 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 fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You 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 effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."