Burrell: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, 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 occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have done 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 production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game 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 explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
