The former player: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of racially offensive language and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed 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 end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I really wanted to continue playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when word came out that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a environment 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 success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated 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 said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to share their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to take the bull by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
