Burrell: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "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 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period 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 explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences 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 recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner 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 underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
