Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.

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

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

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

"This situation was challenging - 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 report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," 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 fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

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 arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary 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 passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."