Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire 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 said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised 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 experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out 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 culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

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