Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time 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 explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "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 implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward 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 acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

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

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."