Burrell: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for 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 definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
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 myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During 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 explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, 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 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.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability 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
