Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect 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 team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
