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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

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

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

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media 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 have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."