Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, 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 professional rugby 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 media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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 personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, 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 documentary, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."