The former player: 'I hoped to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains 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 arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face education on creating inclusive environments, with its success monitored via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased 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 much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
