Burrell: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public 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 chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene 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 film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think 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
