Sounding the whistle on racism ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 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 absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.

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

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

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

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

"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."