Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film 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 much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue 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 excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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