Sounding the alarm on racial discrimination cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.

"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself 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 incorrect."

Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

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

"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.

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

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

"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

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

Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for 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 talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."