The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep bearing this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
