The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable focus 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 class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, 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 dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
