Sounding the alarm on racism terminated my professional journey - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

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

"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

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

Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.

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

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

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

"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.

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

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

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

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

"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.

His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

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

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