Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, 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 free 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 share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."