The former player: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have absolutely had to retire because of what went on," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was challenging - I had to simply come to terms with the outcome and understand that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I have had several distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a period of time you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to go public after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the professional level and to the introduction of an strategy for the elite level."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the elite level to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person training on building inclusive environments, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the film 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 well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the filming of the film, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation aims to reach children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed both on the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if others is willing to share their story then I'll continue to advocate for that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I need to grab the bull by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of poverty and I honestly believe that rugby has the ability to change 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
