Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, 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 hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened 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 traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, 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 film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities 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 sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."