Former New Zealand Rugby Player Diagnosed with CTE Posthumously

Billy Guyton's diagnosis marks the first confirmed case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy in a professional rugby union player, highlighting concerns over head injuries in the sport.

• Billy Guyton, a former New Zealand professional rugby player, was confirmed to have stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death at age 33.
• Guyton's brain showed signs of CTE and global hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, likely due to repeated head impacts during his rugby career.
• New Zealand Rugby has announced initiatives to reduce head impacts, including smart mouthguards and lower tackle height, amid concerns over the link between concussions and long-term brain health.
• Guyton's symptoms included severe depressive episodes and irrational outbursts, which his father says were evident in his behavior.
• This is the first confirmed case of CTE in a fully professional rugby union player, raising concerns about the safety of collision sports and the long-term effects of repeated head injuries.

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