Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

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

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

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

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We 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 proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

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

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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