Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

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

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

"That 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 report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called 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 implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."