The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 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 continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect 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 documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
