Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"It's 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 descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"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 father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing 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 comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."