Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing 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.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
