Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination terminated my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's 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 heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, 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 told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

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

"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."