Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling 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've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

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

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", 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 set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable 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 called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience 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 feedback.

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

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game 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 my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."