Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.

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

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

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

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also encountered 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 multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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 myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During 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 incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The rugby authority 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 professional game."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."