Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand 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 stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

"It's 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 heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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 action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport 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.

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

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

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, 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 soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."