Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

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

Then 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 definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

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

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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