Blowing the alarm on racial discrimination ended my professional journey - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

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

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

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

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

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

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims 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 media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour 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 begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done 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 sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."