Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine 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 "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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 professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, 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 documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."