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

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

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

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done 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 grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell 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 game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."