Blowing the whistle on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.

"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."

A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.

"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."

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

"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.

"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm 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 instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, 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 father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.

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

"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."