Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - 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 report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's 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 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 incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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 young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."