Sounding the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.

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

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.

"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept 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 collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

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

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

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."

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

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 view, 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 filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

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

His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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