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

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other 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 humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."