The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's 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 nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"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 view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress 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 myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
