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

Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour

FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome 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 "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.

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

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

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

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

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

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."