The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This article includes descriptions of discriminatory comments and behaviour
FormerEngland centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the game, showing Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been subject to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he told reporters.
"I hoped to carry on playing, of course I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were investigations going on.
"That was difficult - I had to just accept the fate and understand that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not gather sufficient proof to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly excluded for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England team environment, during a Test career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in February 2014.
"I've had multiple traumatic experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as humour and that's been the problem that I've myself suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just begin to believe that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell says he was eventually spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"The organization has given significant focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"The organization are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person training on creating inclusive cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and surveys.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so proud of what you have accomplished," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the documentary Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this effect on you and finished your career, but in our eyes, you have achieved so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's dad Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a social housing in Huddersfield, continues his work to make the game more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in disadvantaged communities and support them succeed on and off the field with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just pursuing this for my own benefit," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the longer I speak about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this banner and keep supporting this weight and do what I can to develop opportunities and make the game more attractive 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 transform 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
