Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion 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 classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, 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 soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."