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

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."