Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, 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 elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

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

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened 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 February 2014.

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

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

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

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

"My personal 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 persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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