Sounding the whistle on racial discrimination cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.

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

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

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is 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.

"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

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

All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful behaviour.

"You be so pleased 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."