Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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