Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey 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 playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."