The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died 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 works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people 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
