The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased 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 impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling 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 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch 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 willing to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
