Burrell: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 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 end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable 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 encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, 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 shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
