The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely 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
