Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

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

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.

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

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence 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 debut in February 2014.

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

"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.

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

"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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 strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

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

"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished 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 passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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