Forever Sports Online is saddened to report the first confirmed diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in a professional rugby player in New Zealand.
Former Māori All Blacks and Super Rugby player Billy Guyton was diagnosed with stage 2 CTE postmortem, shedding light on the impact of repeated head injuries in the sport. Guyton, who retired in 2018 at age 28 due to symptoms, suffered from multiple concussions throughout his career.
This diagnosis is particularly significant as it demonstrates how early in life the brain can be affected by head knocks in rugby. Concerns have been raised by New Zealand Rugby about the potential link between repeated head impacts and neurodegenerative diseases such as CTE.
Guyton’s case adds to a growing list of players, including Steve Thompson, Alix Popham, and Carl Hayman, who have been diagnosed with suspected CTE. Some players have taken legal action against governing bodies for what they perceive as a lack of proper care and information regarding head injuries.
There is now an urgent need to limit contact in rugby to prevent more players from developing CTE. However, Guyton’s family is not eligible to join legal action as he did not play professionally in England or Wales.
Guyton, who was suspected to have taken his own life, had his death referred to the coroner at the time. His diagnosis serves as a stark reminder of the potential long-term consequences of head injuries in rugby. Forever Sports Online will continue to monitor developments in this important issue.
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