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

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During 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 motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 career, 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 filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."