Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

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

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is 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.

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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