Burrell: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" 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 elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
