Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 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 international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister 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 works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," 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 comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities 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 believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."