Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this impact 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 son."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help 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 evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do 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 poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."