The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "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 international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter 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 think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an action plan for the elite level."
"We has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with young people in under-served communities and help them succeed both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
