Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," 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"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have done," 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."