Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

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

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority 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 significant focus on inclusion and diversity 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.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

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

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

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

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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