Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

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

"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"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.

"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior 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 partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."

All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You 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.

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

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

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

"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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