The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" 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 guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence 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 revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
