The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other 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 humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player 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 culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We 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 soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the opportunity and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
