Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby 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 reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" 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 elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

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

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, 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 reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."