The former player: 'I really wanted to continue playing'
Important note: This article contains descriptions of discriminatory language and behaviour
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell states that going public to expose racism in rugby union led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a June 2022, Burrell described racism as being "rife" in the sport, displaying digital communications and remembering training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only professional rugby since has been three appearances with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have absolutely had to retire because of what occurred," he explained to media outlets.
"I wanted to continue playing, naturally I did. I sought that, and it fell through when word came out that there were investigations going on.
"This situation was difficult - I had to just come to terms with the outcome and accept that this whole process is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in April 2023 found Burrell's claims were accurate "on the balance of probability", but said it could not collect sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell played in all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was controversially excluded for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell told media he also encountered discrimination within the England team environment, during a international career that saw him earn 15 appearances after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just old-school mentality that's really unacceptable."
Racism had become accepted in team environments, in Burrell's experience.
"This is something that has been disguised as banter and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"Over a extended period you just begin to think that it's the norm and that is acceptable and that it's not malicious, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to speak out after a team-mate at Newcastle called him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sun cream on his wrists and ankles "where your shackles were."
The rugby authority said Burrell's disclosures had led to "a deeper look at the culture within the professional level and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed significant focus on diversity and diversity in rugby union and a substantial amount of work undertaken both prior and after Luther Burrell spoke publicly and shared his encounters of racism and classism," it continued.
"The organization are ongoing work with clubs and stakeholders in the elite level to work for a culture of acceptance but recognize this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person training on creating welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England players, including youth squads, are trained in being "active bystanders" to step in and defend others from harmful 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 ended your playing days, but in our eyes, you have done so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a son."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the film, and his sister passed away earlier this year.
Burrell, who was raised on a council estate in his hometown, continues his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization works to connect with young people in disadvantaged communities and help them thrive on and off the pitch with free sports coaching, mentoring and dietary education.
"My personal motivations are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the game and if nobody else is willing to share their story then I'll persist to fight that fight because I'm not just pursuing this for myself," he explained.
"Everyone involved have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it perhaps the more confident fellow players will become about sharing their personal stories as well.
"I take the challenge by the opportunity and continue carrying this banner and keep supporting this responsibility and do what I can to develop possibilities and make the sport more appealing and more inclusive.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to change their futures, just as it did for me."
Burrell scored for the Barbarians on a return to previous team Northampton in November 2022
