Sounding the whistle on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination 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 traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just begin 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 finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

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

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We 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 dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game 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 myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."