The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I wanted to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof 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 told journalists he also faced discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced 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 harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given considerable attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an ongoing process."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to reach children in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the pitch with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
