Burrell: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey 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 subject to while representing 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
