Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for 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've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

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

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

"You be so proud 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 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 father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."