Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

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

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally 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 your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. 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 documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."