The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject 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 guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public 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 environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should 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.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport 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 transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
