The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, 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 told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
