Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

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

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe 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 go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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 given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."