Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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 issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so proud 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell 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 excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."