The former player: 'I wanted to carry on playing'
Important note: This piece includes details of discriminatory comments and conduct
Ex-England centre Luther Burrell says that going public to reveal racial discrimination in rugby union led his career to an premature end.
In a June 2022, Burrell characterized racism as being "rife" in the sport, showing 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 definitely had to end my career because of what happened," he explained to media outlets.
"I hoped to continue competing, of course I did. I sought that, and it fell through when news emerged that there were inquiries going on.
"That was difficult - I had to simply come to terms with the fate and accept that this entire situation is a lot more important than me."
A sports organization investigation in 2023 found Burrell's allegations were accurate "on the balance of probability", but stated 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 controversially overlooked for their squad for the 2015 tournament
Burrell revealed to media he also encountered prejudice within the England set-up, during a international career that saw him win 15 caps after his debut in 2014.
"I have had multiple distressing experiences within England camp," he said.
"Certain instances of discrimination and other just outdated thinking that's really inappropriate."
Racism had become accepted in dressing rooms, in Burrell's view.
"It's something that has been dressed up as humour and that's been the problem that I've personally suffered and seen," said Burrell, who is of Jamaican heritage.
"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 nonsense."
Burrell explains he was finally spurred to go public after a fellow player at Newcastle referred to him as a "enslaved person" and told him to put sunscreen on his wrists and ankles "where chains would be placed."
The governing body said Burrell's revelations had led to "increased scrutiny at the environment within the elite game and to the implementation of an strategy for the professional game."
"We has placed considerable focus on inclusion and inclusion in rugby union and a substantial amount of work completed both prior and since Luther Burrell spoke publicly and revealed his experiences of racism and class discrimination," it added.
"The organization are continuing work with teams and partners in the professional game to strive for a environment of acceptance but acknowledge this requires patience and is an continuous effort."
All Premiership and women's rugby club now has in-person education on building welcoming cultures, with its success tracked via individual reports and feedback.
All England athletes, including age-grade squads, are trained in being "engaged observers" to intervene and defend others from harmful conduct.
"You should be so pleased of what you have done," Burrell's mother Joyce told him as part of the film about his experiences.
"We know it has had this impact on you and finished your playing days, but in our view, you have achieved so much. We are so impressed of you and to have you as a family member."
Burrell's father Geoff died shortly after the production of the documentary, and his sibling passed away recently.
Burrell, who was raised on a social housing in Huddersfield, maintains his work to make the game more accessible.
His charitable organization works to connect with children in under-served communities and support them thrive on and off the field with complimentary sports coaching, mentoring and nutrition education.
"My personal intentions are genuine, I want to see the evolution of the sport and if nobody else is prepared to tell their story then I'll continue to fight that fight because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.
"We have an obligation to make the game as excellent as it can be and the more I talk about it hopefully the more confident others will feel about discussing their personal experiences as well.
"I take the challenge by the horns and keep carrying this flag and continue carrying this weight and accomplish what I can to create opportunities and make the game more appealing and more welcoming.
"There's a lot of disadvantaged children and a lot of economic hardship and I honestly think that the sport has the ability to transform their lives, just as it transformed things for me."
Burrell scored a try for the Barbarians on a return to former club Northampton in late 2022
