Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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