The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists 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 have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted 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 suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored 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 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 ended your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
