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

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority 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 elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, 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 passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent 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 need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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