Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised 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 suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

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

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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