Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" 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 professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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 elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward 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 environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud 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 earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."