The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject 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 happened," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," 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 view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended 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 passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in November 2022
