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

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."