The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed 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've have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather 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 excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally 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 arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable focus on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
