Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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 definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream 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 culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."