Blowing the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist 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 game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."