Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," 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 disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains 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 sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished 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 dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."