Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather 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 controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn 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 motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I 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 family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe 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 late 2022
