The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, 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 heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think 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 referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
