Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced 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 fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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