Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.

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

At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.

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

Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.

"It's 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 descent.

"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.

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

"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, 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 charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

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