Burrell: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 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 absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically 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 squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised 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 experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures 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 placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
