The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"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 nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via individual reports 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 pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
