Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film 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 died soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."