Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Luther Burrell

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

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.

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

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

"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.

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

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

Burrell told media he also encountered 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 the national team," he stated.

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

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

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

"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

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

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

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

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues 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 field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.

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

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.

"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."