The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively 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 journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
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 strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved 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 film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue 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 children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential 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
