Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

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

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

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

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

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."