Blowing the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to 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 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"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 finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."