Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

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

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

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

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared 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 great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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