Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen 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."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."