Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences 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 acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance 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 fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."