Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

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

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains 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 rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."