Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, 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 come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour 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 begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary 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 willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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