Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof 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 February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished 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 production 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 sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."