Burrell: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is 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.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact 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 family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
