Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively 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 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic 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 dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"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 ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

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

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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