The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racial discrimination in professional rugby led his career to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and recalling 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've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the fate and accept that this entire process is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told journalists he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his first game in 2014.
"I have had multiple traumatic experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."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 humour and that's been the issue that I've myself suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and instructed him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
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 elite level."
"We has given considerable attention on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both before and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person training on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your playing days, 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 soon after the filming of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His 12 Foundation aims to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more comfortable fellow players will feel about sharing their personal experiences as well.
"I grab the bull by the horns and keep bearing this flag and continue supporting this weight and do what I can to create possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely believe 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 November 2022
