The former player: 'I hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant attention on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud 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 impact 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 son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We 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 discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
