The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing 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 guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is 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.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"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 ongoing process."
All Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
