Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

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

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

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

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

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, 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 descent.

"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen 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 introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 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 dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal 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 fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

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

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."