Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "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 strategy for the professional game."

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

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

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

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

"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."