Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages 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 elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

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

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

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, 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 open.

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

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children 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."