Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

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

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

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

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

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence 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 earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is 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.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."