Burrell: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", 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 controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to 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 culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," 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 ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
