The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem 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 nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful behaviour.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
