The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes details of racially offensive comments and behaviour
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and remembering training ground "comments" 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 three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically 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 team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out 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 revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an action plan for the elite level."
"The organization has given significant focus on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has face-to-face education on building welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect 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 about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in under-served communities and support them thrive both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to share their story 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 responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
