The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby 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 reporters.
"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their team 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 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority 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 considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior 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 culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing 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 opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
