The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for 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 absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed 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 introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should 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.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. 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 documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
