Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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