The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sunscreen 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 elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud 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 family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential 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 November 2022
