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

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game 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 team environments, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

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 wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored 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 behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."