Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

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

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

"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 period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

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

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

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming 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 sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing 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 explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

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

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."