Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications 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 a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin 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 motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so proud of what you have done," 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 ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."