Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of 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 disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress 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 said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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