Blowing the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

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

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced 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 acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters 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 inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."