Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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 issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over 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 explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored 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 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 effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with 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 game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting 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 children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."