Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures 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 focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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