Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

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

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

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

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" 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.

"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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