Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted 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 experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

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

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."