Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 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 media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine 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 told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children 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."