ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Sunday Jun 26, 2022

Luther Burrell hits out at racist jokes in rugby

Speaking to Nik Simon of the Daily Mail, Luther Burrell has hit out at a racist culture prevalent in rugby still today.

ADVERTISEMENT

A talented centre, Burrell spent the majority of his playing career at Northampton Saints, before ending his time at the Newcastle Falcons just last year.

At one stage he was a regular in the England team, making 15 appearances over a 3-year period. He made his final appearance for the national side in 2016 when Eddie Jones took over as head coach.

Now retired from rugby, 32-year-old Burrell clearly feels more comfortable speaking out about the tough times he experienced during his playing days.

“I’ve said things that have probably crossed the line,” Burrell said. “Naivety, insecurity, wanting to fit in, the need to be liked. Things are said in the changing room that shouldn’t be said. A lot of what’s said isn’t even malicious, but it’s become normal and it needs to be addressed.

My son and daughter, three and five, are mixed race. Would I be happy with them getting the same racial ‘banter’ from their friends? Of course not.”

Clearly frustrated by the open and free nature of the racist jokes, Burrell gave an insight into some of the comments he has had to deal with:

ADVERTISEMENT

“Comments about bananas when you’re making a smoothie in the morning. Comments about fried chicken when you’re out for dinner.

“We had a hot day at training and I told one of the lads to put on their factor 50. Someone came back and said, “You don’t need it, Luth, put your carrot oil on”.

“Then another lad jumps in and says, “No, no, no, he’ll need it for where his shackles were as a slave”.

Fellow players would regularly greet him in a manner he felt highly aggrieved by:

ADVERTISEMENT

“What’s up my n*****?”, some players would say.

“I’d laugh it off. I’ve been a coward by not speaking up. There’s seniority in rugby environments. You’re treading on eggshells because you don’t want to become segregated from the group.”

“If I was 10 years younger, no way would I be sat here doing this. You want to fit in. You want to be liked.”

Explaining that he was highly uncomfortable with these comments, he hopes that by speaking out now, there will be a conversation within rugby that helps move attitudes forward.

He also admitted that previously he had been complicit and chose not to call anyone out in order to fit in, but feels that future generations should not have to go through this expectation.

The class divide in rugby has been spoken about a lot in recent times, and Burrell feels very strongly that it contributes to certain attitudes.

“I grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield. Ellis Genge is a council estate lad. Are there many Genges around the league? I don’t think there are. When I was in the England team, the only person with a similar upbringing to me was Kyle Eastmond and he walked away from the game aged 31.

“Do football changing rooms have this type of stuff being thrown around? No, because it’s far more diverse.

“The change has to come from within but it won’t happen overnight. You need to plant the seed. I love our sport and I want to see it move forwards.”

Burrell hopes that the younger generation will be able to bring about change so that his children and those around them do not have to deal with the racist jokes that he has.

Related Articles

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Ellis Genge puts on his boxing gloves ready...

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Crazy scenes as player deliberately kicks...

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    RFU make decision on transgender players...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok fans given a scare as Kolbe takes back-breaking hit

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

View All

Funnies

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Brian O'Driscoll unburdens himself with huge confession in classic Guinness advert

View All

Amateur

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 60 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 0 HOUR AGO

    Kyle Sinckler surprises everyone with World Cup injury admission

  • 1 DAY AGO

    The three key takeaways from the ‘Eddie Jones press conference’

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Antoine Dupont potentially able to return ahead of the Quarter-finals

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Drew Mitchell Vs. Johnny Sexton: The untold story

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    Namibia captain receives awful backlash from trolls on social media following unfortunate DuPont hit

View All