Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation 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 stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality 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.

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

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

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

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

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

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."