Blowing the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, 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 passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

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

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

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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