Sounding the alarm on racism cut short my professional journey - Burrell

Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour

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

In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.

Then 34 and out of contract, 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 wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.

"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."

A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.

Burrell revealed to 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 multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.

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

Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.

"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.

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

Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen 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 implementation of an action plan for the elite level."

"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.

"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."

All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.

All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in 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 Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.

"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."

Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.

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

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

"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.

"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.

"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.

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