Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.

"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just learn 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 instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.

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

His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."