Burrell: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased 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 view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation 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 sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
