Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages 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 elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to 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 "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done 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 documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."