The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence 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 excluded for their team 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 February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability 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
