Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through 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 whole situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful 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 finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create 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 think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."