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

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

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

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter 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 think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream 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 professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, 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 passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."