Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages 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 retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself 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 acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

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

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 done so well. We are so proud 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 sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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