Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

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

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"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 extended period you just learn 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 called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body 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 placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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