Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 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 retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" 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 professional game."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for 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 more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."