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

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, 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 media outlets.

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

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to 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 "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect 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 about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag 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 disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."