The former player: 'I hoped to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece contains details of racially offensive comments and conduct
FormerEngland player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union brought his career to an early conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying digital communications and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
Then 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not gather enough evidence to definitively say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to journalists he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
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 suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called 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 revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed significant attention on diversity and inclusion in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of inclusivity 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 cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce said to him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"We know it has had this effect on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away soon after the production of the documentary, and his sister passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive both on the pitch with complimentary sports training, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to advocate for that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as great as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more comfortable fellow players will feel about discussing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the horns and keep bearing this banner and keep supporting this weight 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 sincerely believe that rugby has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
