The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically 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 squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
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 action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should 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 playing days, 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 sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight 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 speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform 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
