Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"This is 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 heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

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