Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for 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've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," 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 go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

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

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should 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.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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