Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

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

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard 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 referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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