The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" 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 invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period 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 explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told 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 introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, 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 dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared 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 said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
