Burrell: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just 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 claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."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 suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen 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 strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
