Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn 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 eventually 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 your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, 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 film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."