The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Warning: This piece contains descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "widespread" in the game, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when word emerged that there were investigations underway.
"This situation was challenging - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but stated it could not collect enough evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was controversially excluded for their squad for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told media he also faced discrimination within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Some discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself experienced and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a period of time you just begin to think that it's the standard and that is acceptable and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was eventually spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has given significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
Every Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the filming of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His 12 Foundation works to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive both on the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My motivations are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their experience then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an responsibility to make the sport as great as it can be and the more I speak about it hopefully the more confident others will become about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the bull by the horns and continue bearing this flag and keep carrying this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely think that the sport has the potential to change their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in late 2022
