Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," 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 finished your career, 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 died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."