Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 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 absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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 myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, 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 chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

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

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."