Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"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 dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate 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 rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport 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 experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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