The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted 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 witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about discussing their own experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
