The former player: 'I wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's international 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 international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from harmful behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he said.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are 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 a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
