The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing 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 end my career because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred 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 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 debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
