Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"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 nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred 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 chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

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

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."