Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for 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 end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

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

"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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