Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."