Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

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

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

"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

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

Racism had become normalised 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 experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally motivated 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 rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, 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.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."