Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

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

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish 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 poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."