Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, 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 professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told 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 professional game."

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"I 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 family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

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

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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