The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly 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 return to former club Northampton in November 2022
