Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak 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 keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."