Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 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 definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."