Burrell: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple 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 team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
