Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for 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 definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just begin to think 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 go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production 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 sport more open.

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."