Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing 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 have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed 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 professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner 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 disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."