Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine 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 referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should 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.

"We 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 son."

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

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

His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."