The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 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 definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough 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 excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had several 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 disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight 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 more I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
