The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages 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 professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this whole situation 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 stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
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 experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream 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 elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
