Burrell: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some 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 issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
