Burrell: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course 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 accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely 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
