Burrell: 'I really hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate 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 accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred 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 told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
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 strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
