Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.

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

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard 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 fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

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

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."