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Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Luther Burrell
The former player: 'I really wanted to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of 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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"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 explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
Arthur Perry
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