The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes descriptions of racially offensive language and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole situation 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 collect sufficient proof to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told 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 culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has face-to-face training on building welcoming environments, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," 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 playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to change their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in November 2022
