Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

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

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

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

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming 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 sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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