Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation 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 happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced 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 multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced 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 fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told 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 "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation 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 intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change 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
