The former player: 'I really wanted to carry on playing'
Warning: This piece includes details of racially offensive language and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell claims that speaking out to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union brought his professional journey to an early conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the game, displaying Whatsapp messages and recalling training ground "jokes" 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 invitational side the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I really hoped to continue competing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it collapsed when news came out that there were inquiries underway.
"This situation was difficult - I had to simply accept the outcome and accept that this entire situation is a lot bigger than me."
A rugby governing body investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "likely correct", but said it could not collect enough proof to categorically say they happened at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014-15, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 World Cup
Burrell told journalists he also encountered prejudice within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him win 15 appearances after his debut in February 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within the national team," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and witnessed," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"Over a extended period you just learn to think that it's the standard and that is fine and that it's not malicious, but that's nonsense."
Burrell says he was finally spurred to speak out after a fellow player at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and instructed him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "a deeper look at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has given considerable focus on inclusion and diversity in rugby union and a great deal of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"We are ongoing work with teams and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Prem and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming environments, with its effectiveness tracked via specific documentation and feedback.
All England players, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "engaged observers" to step in and protect others from damaging conduct.
"You be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"I know it has had this effect on you and ended your playing days, but in our view, you have done so well. We are so proud of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to reach children in under-served communities and help them succeed on and off the field with free sports training, guidance and nutrition education.
"My intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if others is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to advocate for that cause because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the sport as great as it can be and the longer I speak about it hopefully the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their own stories as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and continue bearing this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and accomplish what I can to create possibilities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
