Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I've had several distressing 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 dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

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

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

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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