Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

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

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", 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 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted 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 witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."