Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several traumatic 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"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "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 introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

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

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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