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

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" 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 explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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 issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body 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."

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

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

"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 proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."