The former player: 'I really hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and behaviour
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that speaking out to expose racism in rugby union brought his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing 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 end my career because of what went on," he explained to media outlets.
"I really wanted to carry on competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to intervene and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and dietary education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it perhaps the more comfortable others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create opportunities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that rugby has the ability to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
