Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

"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.

"During 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 nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."