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

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 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 definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."