Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

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

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

In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.

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

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

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

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

A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

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

"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.

"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."

Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.

"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.

"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive 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 training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.

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

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

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

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.

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

"My intentions are genuine, 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 my own benefit," he explained.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."