The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby brought his career to an premature end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news came out that there were investigations underway.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice 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 the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, 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 passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in late 2022
