The former player: 'I wanted to carry on my rugby career'
Important note: This article contains details of discriminatory language and conduct
Ex-England player Luther Burrell states that speaking out to expose racism in professional rugby led his professional journey to an premature conclusion.
In a 2022 interview, Burrell characterized racism as being "widespread" in the sport, showing digital communications and recalling training ground "comments" he had been exposed to while playing for Newcastle.
At that time 34 and without a team, Burrell's only elite playing since has been a handful of games with guest team the Barbarians.
"I've have definitely had to retire because of what happened," he explained to reporters.
"I wanted to carry on playing, of course I did. I pursued that, and it collapsed when news emerged that there were investigations underway.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this whole situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization report in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were true "likely correct", but said it could not gather sufficient evidence to categorically say they occurred at Newcastle.
Luther Burrell started all of England's Six Nations games in 2014 and 2015, but was surprisingly overlooked for their team for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also faced prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him earn 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I've had several traumatic experiences within England camp," he stated.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become normalised in team environments, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the issue that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican descent.
"During a extended period you just learn to believe that it's the norm and that is fine and that it's not harmful, but that's incorrect."
Burrell explains he was finally motivated to speak out 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 "a deeper look at the culture within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"The organization has placed considerable focus on diversity and diversity in the sport and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell came forward and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with clubs and partners in the professional game to work for a environment of inclusivity but acknowledge this requires patience and is an ongoing process."
All Prem and PWR club now has in-person education on creating welcoming cultures, with its success monitored via specific documentation and surveys.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are educated in being "active bystanders" to step in and protect others from damaging behaviour.
"You should be so proud of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film Luther Burrell - Rugby, Racism and Redemption.
"We know it has had this impact on you and ended your career, but in our view, you have achieved so well. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's dad Geoff died soon after the filming of the film, and his sibling died recently.
Burrell, who grew up on a council estate in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the sport more open.
His charitable organization aims to connect with children in under-served communities and help them thrive on and off the field with free sports coaching, guidance and dietary education.
"My intentions are pure, I want to see the progress of the game and if nobody else is prepared to share their story then I'll persist to fight that cause because I'm not just doing this for my own benefit," 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 fellow players will become about sharing their own experiences as well.
"I need to grab the challenge by the opportunity and keep carrying this banner and continue supporting this weight and accomplish what I can to develop opportunities and make the sport more attractive and more welcoming.
"There are a lot of underprivileged young people and a lot of poverty and I sincerely believe that the sport has the potential to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a comeback to former club Northampton in November 2022
