Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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 without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."