Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination 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 remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 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 retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

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

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

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."