The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications 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 definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
