Burrell: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You 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 ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish 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 poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
