Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted 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 suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary 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 advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."