Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, 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.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," 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 harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing 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 young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."