The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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 occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" 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 environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in November 2022
