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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject 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've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through 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 entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player 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 culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization 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 ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film 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 done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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