Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."