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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming 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 harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."