Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

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

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

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

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene 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 about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."