The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to categorically say they happened 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 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished 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 father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
