Burrell: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling 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 guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to 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 view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
