Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

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

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

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

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film 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 son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause 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 longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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