Sounding the alarm on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

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

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight 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 talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."