The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains details of discriminatory comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof 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 excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called 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 revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"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.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
