Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 told reporters.

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

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.

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

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport 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, guidance and dietary education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.

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