Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"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.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally 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 fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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

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

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."