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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed 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 whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other 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 myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."