Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

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

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."