Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"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.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

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

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

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."