The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted 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 personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains 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 sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level 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 face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
