Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances 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 playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport 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 said.

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

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."