The former player: 'I hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 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 media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared 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 acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building 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 step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
