Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 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 revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 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"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," 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 fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has given considerable focus on inclusion 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 continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed 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 sister died 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 aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for 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 more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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