Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," 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 acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We 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 sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."