Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

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

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

"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 heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

"My intentions are genuine, 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 cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."