Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

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

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

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

Racism had become normalised in team environments, 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 seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public 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 governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect 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 about his experiences.

"We 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 sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent 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 need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are 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."