The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing 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 have absolutely had to end my career because of what went on," he told media outlets.
"I really wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their experience then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue carrying this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in November 2022
