The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred 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 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin 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 eventually motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told 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 family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability 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
