The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered 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"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised 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 personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public 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 rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe 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 late 2022
