Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" 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 happened," he explained to reporters.

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

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"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 impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations 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 doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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