Burrell: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively 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 squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed 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 elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children 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
