Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

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

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

"You should 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.

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

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

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 connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."