Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire 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 sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's 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 descent.

"Over a extended period 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 finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

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

"The organization 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."

Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, 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 shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

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

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing 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 comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."