Sounding the whistle on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.

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

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I have 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 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 myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport 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 said.

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

"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."