Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."