Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, 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 went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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

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

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport 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 change their futures, just as it did for me."