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

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test 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 stated.

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

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My 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 fight 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 excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."