The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but stated it could not collect sufficient evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and stakeholders in the elite level to strive for a culture of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and PWR club now has face-to-face education on creating welcoming cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect 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 family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and keep carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged young people and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
