Burrell: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of 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 dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend 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 Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story 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 obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform 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
