Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."