Blowing the alarm on racism ended my career - Burrell

Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.

In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for 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 end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.

"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.

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

A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.

"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.

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

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

Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" 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 introduction of an action plan for the professional game."

"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."

Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.

"You be so pleased 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 view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation 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 motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.

"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.

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