Sounding the whistle on racism ended my career - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.

"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.

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

"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.

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

"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter 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 learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."

Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."

The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."

Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.

All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.

"You should 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 effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.

Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.

His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.

"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.

"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.

"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."