The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole process 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 categorically 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 revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," 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 malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
