The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, 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 went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather 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 squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains 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 chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should 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 effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
