Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures 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 significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

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

"I know it has had this impact 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 production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."