The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that speaking out to reveal racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" he had been exposed to while representing Newcastle.
At that time 34 and out of contract, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been a handful of games with invitational side the Barbarians.
"I have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he told media outlets.
"I hoped to carry on competing, naturally I did. I pursued that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's claims were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather enough evidence to categorically say they happened 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 told media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a Test career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and some just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been dressed up as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally experienced 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 fine and that it's not harmful, but that's nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his arms and legs "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the professional level and to the implementation of an action plan for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a great deal of work undertaken both before and after Luther Burrell came forward and shared his experiences of racism and classism," it added.
"We are continuing work with teams and stakeholders in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but recognize this takes time and is an continuous effort."
Every Premiership and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including youth squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to intervene and defend others from damaging conduct.
"You should be so pleased 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 effect on you and ended your career, 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 passed away soon after the production of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more accessible.
His charitable organization aims to reach young people in under-served communities and support them succeed on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the progress of the game and if others is willing to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that cause because I'm not just doing 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 hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying 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 poverty and I honestly believe that the sport has the ability to transform their futures, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in November 2022
