Blowing the whistle on racial discrimination ended my career - Luther Burrell

Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.

"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.

"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."

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

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

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

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.

His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight 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 talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."