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

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn 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 finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

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

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

Burrell's father Geoff died 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, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

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

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

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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