Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering 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 guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through 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 whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is 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 period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations 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 inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film 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 family member."

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

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

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

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist 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 sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

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

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."