The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," 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"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public 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 environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
