Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful 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 achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon 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, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."