The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his career to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing digital communications and remembering training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what went on," he told reporters.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was challenging - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's international games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a period of time you just learn to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable attention on inclusion and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it continued.
"We are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a culture of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on creating inclusive environments, with its effectiveness monitored via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You 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 impact on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed on and off the pitch with complimentary sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he explained.
"We have an responsibility to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and continue bearing this flag and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that rugby has the potential to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
