Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

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

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm 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 "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."

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

"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

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

"You be so pleased 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 view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"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 own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."