Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

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

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, 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 seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed 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 elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect 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 view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."