Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause 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 speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."