The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying 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 professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters 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 Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon 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 sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
