The former player: 'I really hoped to continue playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an early end.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to end my career because of what occurred," he explained to reporters.
"I really hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and understand that this entire process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "on the balance of probability", but said 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 surprisingly excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his first game in February 2014.
"I've had several distressing experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally experienced and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually motivated to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "slave" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "increased scrutiny at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the elite level."
"We has placed significant focus on inclusion and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his encounters of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the elite level to strive 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 creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to step in and defend others from damaging behaviour.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"I know it has had this impact on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff passed away shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sister died earlier this year.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in his hometown, continues his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in disadvantaged communities and help them succeed both on the field with free sports training, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is prepared to share their story 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 perhaps the more confident others will feel about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I grab the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and continue carrying this responsibility and accomplish what I can to develop possibilities and make the game more appealing and more inclusive.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I sincerely think that rugby has the potential to transform 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
