The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" 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 occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine 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 "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential 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
