The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described 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 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 media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During 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 incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly 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 open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
