Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing 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 absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, 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 died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."