Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality 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 issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We 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 family member."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."