Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

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

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other 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 problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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 elite level."

"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

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