Blowing the alarm on racism terminated my career - Burrell

Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct

Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.

In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.

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

"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.

"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.

"This situation 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 sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.

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

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

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

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

"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue 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 acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."

Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" 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 elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."

"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.

"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work 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 cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.

"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."

Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.

Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.

His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.

"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.

"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.

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

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