The former player: 'I hoped to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 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 retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability 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
