The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says 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 chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
