Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept 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 said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen 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 professional game."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."