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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering 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 guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced 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 harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out 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 governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect 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 family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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