Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said 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 international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud 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 passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story 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 responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."