The former player: 'I hoped to continue my rugby career'
Important note: This article includes details of discriminatory language and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I hoped to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "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 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him win 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe 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 team-mate at Newcastle referred to him as a "slave" 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 professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our view, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His 12 Foundation works to reach young people in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to tell their experience then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this flag and continue supporting this responsibility and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that rugby has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to previous team Northampton in late 2022
