Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to 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 several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

Racism had become normalised 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 seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You should be so pleased 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, 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 soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up 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 thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."