The former player: 'I wanted to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell claims that going public to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and seen," 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 harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "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."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
