Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny 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 diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You 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 impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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