Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications 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 guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised 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.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, 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 instructed 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 environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

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

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. 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 documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."