Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

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

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

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

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation 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 rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."