Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole 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 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've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself 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 explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing 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 transform their futures, just as it did for me."