Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient 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 overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority 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 placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"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.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish 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 poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
