The former player: 'I really hoped to continue my rugby career'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body report in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Some discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a culture of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive cultures, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," 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 finished your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with complimentary sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is willing to tell their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the horns and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
