Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a extended period you just learn 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 team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. 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 died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

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

"My motivations 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 advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."