Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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 happened," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," 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 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 "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
