Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering 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 a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter 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 acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures 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 placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist 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 comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."