Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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 definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period 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 says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming 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 aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."