Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct

Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.

"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.

"That 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 claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and other 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 disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

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

The governing body said Burrell's disclosures 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 placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.

"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."

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

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

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

"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

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

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

His 12 Foundation works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.

"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.

"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.

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