Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 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"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

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

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

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

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

"My personal motivations 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 myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent 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 need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."